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Environment, Biology and Toxicology
Historical Review. Of garlic, mice and Gmelin: the odor of trimethylarsine
Article first published online: 12 APR 2002
DOI: 10.1002/aoc.299
Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1099-0739/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=04bd9e08c0ca65d49547efbdbe335825939dd0de "Applied Organometallic Chemistry")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Chasteen, T. G., Wiggli, M. and Bentley, R. (2002), Historical Review. Of garlic, mice and Gmelin: the odor of trimethylarsine. Appl. Organometal. Chem., 16: 281–286. doi: 10.1002/aoc.299
Publication History
- Issue published online: 12 APR 2002
- Article first published online: 12 APR 2002
- Manuscript Accepted: 8 FEB 2002
- Manuscript Received: 12 NOV 2001
Funded by
- Robert A. Welch Foundation
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- arsenical pigments;
- poisoning;
- arsenical gas odor;
- trimethylarsine;
- Gosio Gas;
- Gmelin
Abstract
In the 19th century, rooms were frequently decorated with wallpaper containing arsenical pigments; illness and fatalities often resulted. In 1839, Leopold Gmelin described a mouse-like odor under those conditions. Much later, it was recognized that the problem was the formation of toxic and volatile trimethylarsine by fungal action. Gmelin's observation was misreported as a garlic-like odor that is characteristic of trimethylarsine. Gmelin's original article in German and an English translation are included, and possible explanations for the incorrect reporting and for the original observation are described. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.