What is the Difference Between Organic and Inorganic Arsenic?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between organic and inorganic arsenic lies in their toxicity and the way they bind to other elements.
Organic arsenic compounds:
- These compounds contain arsenic atoms attached to a carbon atom, which may be part of a sugar molecule or another organic molecule.
- Organic arsenic is found mainly in fish and shellfish.
- Organic arsenic compounds are considered to be non-toxic or considerably less toxic than inorganic arsenic.
Inorganic arsenic compounds:
- These compounds do not contain carbon and are generally simple molecules, such as arsenic trioxide.
- Inorganic arsenic compounds are found in soils, sediments, and groundwater, and can occur naturally or as a result of mining, ore smelting, and industrial use of arsenic.
- Inorganic arsenic is highly toxic, and long-term exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic in drinking water has been associated with skin disorders, increased risks for diabetes, high blood pressure, and several types of cancer.
In summary, organic arsenic compounds are less toxic and found in seafood, while inorganic arsenic compounds are highly toxic and found in water, soil, and sediments.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Organic and Inorganic Arsenic? Comparative Table: Organic vs Inorganic Arsenic
Comparative Table: Organic vs Inorganic Arsenic
Here is a table summarizing the differences between organic and inorganic arsenic:
| Property | Organic Arsenic | Inorganic Arsenic |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Organic arsenic refers to a group of chemical compounds that contain carbon (C) and arsenic (As) atoms bonded together in organic molecules. | Inorganic arsenic refers to either the pure, metallic form of arsenic or the arsenic that has bonded to non-carbon chemical elements. |
| Toxicity | Organic arsenic is relatively safe and less toxic than inorganic arsenic. Two common forms of organic arsenic are arsenobetaine and arsenocholine, which are found in seafood. | Inorganic arsenic is highly toxic and considered an environmental toxin. Examples of inorganic arsenic compounds include arsenic trioxide, sodium arsenite, arsenic pentoxide, and arsenic acid. |
| Sources | Organic arsenic is found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and seafood. | Inorganic arsenic is found in meats, poultry, dairy products, cereal, rice, and drinking water. |
| Forms | Organic arsenic compounds are more complex in structure and contain at least one carbon atom directly bonded to an arsenic atom. | Inorganic arsenic compounds are generally simple molecules and do not contain carbon. |
In summary, organic arsenic is less toxic and found in plant and seafood sources, while inorganic arsenic is more toxic and found in animal products, grains, and water sources. The two types of arsenic differ in their chemical structure, with organic arsenic containing carbon and inorganic arsenic not containing carbon.
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