This Little Piggy

For the next example, it isn't even necessary to leave the barnyard. The use of arsenic laced feed isn't limited to our feathered friends. Hogs and swine are also given 3 Nitro 4 Hydrophenylarsonic Acid with their morning slop. In addition to Roxarsone, other variations of the compound called Carbarsone, Arsalinic Acid or Nitarsone may also be given. Like chickens, pigs are given this arsenic compound mainly to increase their growth rate. Although they excrete a large amount of the substance in their waste, some remains in the tissue. Further, while regulations require withdrawal of the substance a certain number of days before slaughter, a Canadian study found high rates of human error in the process (and thereafter Canada banned use of the substance).

Carbarsone has an interesting history of its own. Chauncey D Leake, a pharmacologist, began using the compound in the early 1930's to treat trichomonas vaginalis infections and intestinal amoebis. Its use fell by the wayside, however, because, as with most organic arsenicals ever used to treat human disease, it had unfortunate neurological and gastric system side-effects, including death. For a list of the side-effects, see Irving S. Rossoff, Encyclopedia of Clinical Toxoligy, 198 (2002).

Of course, the industry also touts the safety of these substances in hogs and swine, which of course becomes the ham in your sandwich and bacon with your eggs. Still hungry?

Which Came First?

In the course of my self-study, I've learned about so many fascinating and creative uses of arsenic. But to pay homage to the catalyst of my pursuit, I'll begin with the use of arsenic in a favorite barnyard animal - the chicken.

Arsenic is fed to chickens and turkeys mainly as a growth promoter. Sold under name-brands such as Roxarsone and Carbarsone, it is also known as 3 Nitro -4 Hydrophenylarsonic Acid. Although approved by the FDA in 1944, the use of Roxarsone increased dramatically as chicken consumption rose and the chicken industry consolidated in the 1970's and beyond. Roxarsone is such a wonderful product because, instead of waiting for the little creatures to grow up normally, chickens fed Roxarsone grow to "broiler" size in record time! And after all this time, scientists are still scratching their heads at the biological basis behind these magic properties. The industry touts this as "organic arsenic," which means only that it is a carbon-based compound. I'll save the history of organic arsenic, and the industry claims that this substance is "non-toxic" for a later post. Although much of the arsenic is excreted in the waste, some remains in the tissue, which of course becomes your chicken nugget. Mmmm. Arsenic, it's what's for dinner.