# where can I buy Arsenic ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 22, 2006, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793 "2006-08-22T19:46:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wildfire\_MM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f08c70/32.png) [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/1 "2006-08-22T19:46:27Z")
Does anyone know ? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/2 "2006-08-22T20:14:46Z")
Same place you buy old lace… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/3 "2006-08-22T20:25:53Z")
It depends on your jurisdiction, but due to its toxic effects, Arsenic and its compunds (strictly speaking, Arsenic is an element thant usually occurs in a variety of compunds) is a regulated substance in many countries. This means you cannot buy it without a special license. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/4 "2006-08-22T20:27:15Z")
> [@](#): > > where can I buy Arsenic ? > > * * * > > Does anyone know ? Big weekend planned? I’m reluctant to tell people how to get dangerous stuff. If you really are interested, there are plenty of chemical companies, but I think they ll get suspicious if you end up getting a lot of this stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/5 "2006-08-22T20:51:20Z")
Read Ira Levin’s “A Kiss Before Dying.” ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/6 "2006-08-22T20:53:39Z")
Sigma-Aldrich sells chunks of Arsenic; $51.90 for 5 gtams. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/7 "2006-08-22T22:26:15Z")
While I don’t think this thread is a good thing, I’ll leave it open until someone can show me the sale of arsenic to the public in the US is banned. I know you can’t buy arsenic-_treated_ lumber in the US anymore, but I’d love a cite for the element. I searched and found nothing. **samclem** GQ moderator ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/8 "2006-08-22T22:48:58Z")
> [@Wildfire\*\*MM](#): > > Does anyone know ? You can mail-order from practically any chemical supply company servicing your area. Google for “chemical supply company” or use the [Open Directory](http://dmoz.org) to find a chemical supply company in your area. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/9 "2006-08-22T23:09:56Z")
Note that forensic science can easily detect what used to be called “inheritance powder”. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/10 "2006-08-22T23:17:47Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > I’d love a cite for the element. I don’t think you’ll find one. Arsenic is controlled as a hazardous air pollutant: > [@](#): > > [Hazardous Air Pollutant Regulations](http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:4fGuTTdWqh8J:www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interweb/assetlibrary/Mgmt_NEPA_EAforPulsedFastNeutronAnalysisCISatYsletaElPaso.PDF+arsenic+%22illegal+substances%22+site:.gov&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=10&client=firefox-a) > A hazardous air pollutant is any air pollutant known to cause or may reasonably be anticipated to > cause death, injury, or serious adverse effects to human health or the environment. Section 112 > of the Clean Air Act gave EPA the authority regulate releases of these materials through the > National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). NESHAP limits have > been established for asbestos, benzene, beryllium, inorganic arsenic, mercury, radionuclides, and > vinyl chloride. Of relevance here is 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart I, which is the NESHAP for > radionuclides. And [OSHA regulates arsenic exposure in the workplace](http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/arsenic/standards.html), but “possession of arsenic” and ‘arsenic “illegal substances” site:.gov’ turn up no relevant regulations. ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/11 "2006-08-22T23:19:06Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > While I don’t think this thread is a good thing, I’ll leave it open until someone can show me the sale of arsenic to the public in the US is banned. > > I know you can’t buy arsenic-_treated_ lumber in the US anymore, but I’d love a cite for the element. I searched and found nothing. > > **samclem** GQ moderator At the Federal level, there is the Hazardous Substances Act, 15 USC Sec. 1261 _et seq._. It’s mainly a labelling law, but Sec. 1277 allows the Consumer Product Safety Commission to classify something as a “banned hazardous substance”, and effectively ban it. Relevant regs seem to be at [http://frwebgate1.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=287466305533+6+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve](http://frwebgate1.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=287466305533+6+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve) I see certain cyanide-containing products listed, but not arsenic. So no outright ban there. There are separate Federal regulatory schemes primarily concerned with employee safety, materials shipping, air pollution, and water pollution that appear to have have regs restricting arsenic in various ways, but I don’t have the hour or so it would take me to wade through all of them. MY sense is that there’s no absolute ban on arsenic, but that arsenic-containing compounds are heavily restricted. Disclaimer. I have **not** fully researched this. This is preliminary general information and not reliable legal advice. I’m not your lawyer, and you’re not my client. There also might be state or local laws, that by their nature, would vary from place to place. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/12 "2006-08-22T23:23:04Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > While I don’t think this thread is a good thing, I’ll leave it open until someone can show me the sale of arsenic to the public in the US is banned. > I know you can’t buy arsenic-_treated_ lumber in the US anymore, but I’d love a cite for the element. I searched and found nothing. > **samclem** GQ moderator [\*\*Legitimate Uses For Arsenic \*\*](http://www.ucc.ie/academic/chem/dolchem/html/elem/elem033.html)I would expect sales to be limited fo licensed manufacturing users. IIRC Lead shot is no longer made as it was poisonous to wild fowl shot with it and not killed outright. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/13 "2006-08-22T23:23:22Z")
You start the most interesting threads, **Wildfire** MM\*\*… Should we be worried about you? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/14 "2006-08-22T23:28:01Z")
As has been posted earlier in this thread, by at least two people, arsenic can be ordered online or via mail (I prefer Sigma-Aldrich, but they are $$$). Many dangerous chemical substances can be legally ordered online in large quantities, such as mercury, cadmium, weakly radioactive substances, and a variety of hideous acids and bases. While it’s possible an individual State may have some restrictions on receipt of these, I cannot find any evidence of a specific instance. Arsenic as a poison for nefarious purposes is somewhat over-rated. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/15 "2006-08-22T23:34:16Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > I know you can’t buy arsenic-_treated_ lumber in the US anymore, but I’d love a cite for the element. Ok. > [@](#): > > If arsenic is so dangerous, why is arsenic treated wood still legal? > Arsenic for use as a pesticide has long been banned. Arsenic treated wood is being phased out. In February 2002 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a voluntary decision by the building industry to remove consumer use of new arsenic treated lumber products by December 31, 2003 in favor of new alternative wood preservatives. > > This effects virtually all residential uses of arsenic treated lumber including wood used in play structures, decks, picnic tables, landscaping timbers, residential fencing, patios, railings, docks, walkways, and boardwalks. By January 2004 the EPA will not allow arsenic treated lumber for any residential uses. [http://www.cvswmd.org/resident\_services/arsenic\_faqs.html](http://www.cvswmd.org/resident_services/arsenic_faqs.html) ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/16 "2006-08-23T00:34:38Z")
Michigan requires those who sell arsenic to record their sales: > [@](#): > > THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT) > Act 328 of 1931 > 750.432 Recording sales of poisons. > > Sec. 432. > > Recording sales of poisons—Every apothecary, druggist or other person who sells any arsenic, strychnine, corrosive sublimate, prussic acid or other poison, shall keep a record of the date of such sale, and the article and amount thereof sold, and the person or persons to whom delivered, and their residence, which record shall be open to the inspection of any police officer or physician during the business hours of each day and each and every neglect to keep such record as herein provided, shall be a misdemeanor. > **[Michigan Legislature - Section 750.432](http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(3fqrl2ywtfkqlecfski0pgej))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-750-432&queryid=14976140)** > > The Michigan Legislature Website is a free service of the Legislative Internet Technology Team in cooperation with the Michigan Legislative Council, the Michigan House of Representatives, and the Michigan Senate. Didn’t find any statute making it illegal to sell it here. More on arsenic-treated wood: [http://www.origen.net/arsenic.html](http://www.origen.net/arsenic.html) [http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/38/title38sec1682.html](http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/38/title38sec1682.html) ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/17 "2006-08-23T00:51:38Z")
> [@spingears](#): > > IIRC Lead shot is no longer made as it was poisonous to wild fowl shot with it and not killed outright. In the USA lead shot is not permitted for migratory birds, but still used for rabbits and other game animals, as well as birds such as quail. The problem is not that birds shot with lead and not killed outright had a problem. OK, they had a problem but not because of the lead shot, but the spent shot would fall into the lakes and the bottom feeding duck and geese would ingest the shot and suffer toxic effects. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/18 "2006-08-23T02:35:48Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > The problem is not that birds shot with lead and not killed outright had a problem. OK, they had a problem but not because of the lead shot, but the spent shot would fall into the lakes and the bottom feeding duck and geese would ingest the shot and suffer toxic effects. Don’t forget those lead fishing sinkers…(the article also has numbers for the amount of lead from shot too). [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mfishsinkers.html](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mfishsinkers.html) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/19 "2006-08-23T02:47:59Z")
> [@Una Persson](#): > > Many dangerous chemical substances can be legally ordered online in large quantities… That’s good to know, for when I need some HTP for my propulsion experiments. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2006, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793/20 "2006-08-27T20:25:03Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > While I don’t think this thread is a good thing, I’ll leave it open until someone can show me the sale of arsenic to the public in the US is banned. Not the US, but since your readership is international, does [this](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A4113983), [this](http://www.tameside.gov.uk/licensing/poisons.htm), or [this](http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/milton-keynes/Poisons.htm) count? Basically, sale of such is tightly controlled. And the OP clearly fails Section three: > [@Tameside's summary of Section Three of the Poisons Act 1972 and in the Poisons Rules](#): > > be known to the seller, or to the person in charge of the premises on which the substance is sold or of the department of the business in which the sale is effected, to be a person to whom the poison may properly be sold And he’s got to say why he wants it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-arsenic/369793.md?page=2)