Case Definition: Arsine or Stibine Poisoning
- E-mail this page
- PDF formatted for print
(93 KB/1 page)
Clinical description
Inhalation of arsine gas causes no immediate symptoms. Signs and symptoms occur 2 to 24 hours after exposure and result from massive hemolysis. These signs and symptoms include generalized weakness, dark urine, jaundice, and dyspnea. Oliguria and renal failure often occur 1 to 3 days after exposure (1-3).
Laboratory criteria for diagnosis
- Biologic: No specific test is available for arsine exposure; however, exposure to arsine might be indicated by detection of elevated arsenic levels in urine (>50 µg/L for a spot or >50 µg for a 24-hour urine) and signs of hemolysis (e.g., hemoglobinuria, anemia, or low haptoglobin).
- Environmental: Detection of arsine in environmental samples, as determined by NIOSH.
Case classification
- Suspected: A case in which a potentially exposed person is being evaluated by health-care workers or public health officials for poisoning by a particular chemical agent, but no specific credible threat exists.
- Probable: A clinically compatible case in which a high index of suspicion (credible threat or patient history regarding location and time) exists for arsine exposure, or an epidemiologic link exists between this case and a laboratory-confirmed case.
- Confirmed: A clinically compatible case in which laboratory tests have confirmed exposure.
The case can be confirmed if laboratory testing was not performed because either a predominant amount of clinical and nonspecific laboratory evidence of a particular chemical was present or a 100% certainty of the etiology of the agent is known.
Additional resources
- Fowler BA, Weissberg JB. Arsine poisoning. N Engl J Med 1974;291:1171-4.
- Hatlelid KM, Brailsford C, Carter DE. Reactions of arsine with hemoglobin. J Toxicol Environ Health 1996;47:145-57.
- Pinto SS. Arsine poisoning: evaluation of the acute phase. J Occup Med 1976;18: 633-5.
This document is based on CDC’s best current information. It may be updated as new information becomes available.
Page last reviewed February 22, 2006
Page last modified March 4, 2005