US EPA

1346076 

Journal Article 

A toxicochemical review of gallium arsenide 

Flora, SJS; Dwivedi, N 

2012 

62 

2 

95-104 

10.14429/dsj.62.1014 

WOS:000302453100004 

Gallium arsenide (GaAs) is extensively used in defence as a semiconductor material, in radar and in electronic warfare. However, its toxicity is still not well understood. The chemistry of gallium arsenide in the body plays a key role in defining its toxicity. GaAs is found to be soluble in aqueous solution and forms unidentified gallium and arsenic species upon dissolution. GaAs causes toxicity to various organs including lung, testes, kidney, brain and immune system. The toxicity of GaAs can be attributed to the synergistic toxic effects associated with gallium and arsenic. Till date, there is no well defined treatment regime for GaAs induced toxicity. This review gives a recent account of work carried out in the toxicology of GaAs including chemistry involved in the mechanism of toxicity of GaAs, its toxicological effects on various organs and current therapy available. 

Gallium arsenide toxicity; organ damage; biochemical effects; preventive and therapeutic measure