What A Waste: Arsenic – From the “King of Poisons” to Everyday Applications
You probably know by now that Tellus is licensed to dispose of chemical and low-level radioactive waste at our Sandy Ridge facility. But there is a lot you may not know about the types of waste we manage.
In our ‘What a Waste!’ series we explain how some of the hazardous waste we accept at Sandy Ridge is created, and how we manage it.
Did you know that arsenic was once infamous as the “king of poisons” and the “poison of kings”?
Historically, it played a sinister role in political assassinations, with the ancient Romans reportedly using it against their enemies.
Today, arsenic has taken on a very different role – in modern industry. It is used as an alloying agent, in wood preservatives, and to strengthen lead alloys for lead-acid batteries. In these batteries, arsenic enhances the strength of the lead alloy, improves corrosion resistance, and reduces dendrite formation, making it a critical component in their performance.
Of course, these processes result in hazardous waste and require a safe solution.
At Tellus, we are licensed to accept arsenic for permanent disposal at our Sandy Ridge geological repository. Our safe management of arsenic means it poses no ongoing risk to people or the environment.
Which is bad for wannabe political assassins, but good news for everyone else.