A metalloid with industrial use in glass, wood preservative, herbicide, semiconductor manufacture, and as an alloy additive. It may be a component in alternative or traditional remedies, both intentionally and as a contaminant. Common in the environment and in food, especially seafood, arsenic is highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin contact. Clinical effects of acute poisoning range from severe gastrointestinal effects to renal impairment or failure, characterised by OLIGURIA, HAEMATURIA, PROTEINURIA and renal tubular necrosis. SHOCK, COMA and CONVULSIONS are reported, as are JAUNDICE and peripheral NEUROPATHY. Chronic exposures are harder to diagnose as effects are non-specific: they include gastrointestinal disturbances, hyperpigmentation and HYPERKERATOSIS of skin, localised OEDEMA, ALOPECIA, neuropathy, PARAESTHESIA, HEPATOMEGALY and jaundice. Several CHELATING AGENTS are effective in treatment.