Effect of Arsenic (As2o3) on Haemetological Parameters of Freshwater Air Breathing Fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch)

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found widely in the environment. However, on recent days the level of arsenic in the environment has increased several folds due to its use as pesticide, defoliant, electronics, thermal power plants, wood preservatives and metal industry. Arsenic has been reported as one of the most alarming chemical in the environment [1], present in different forms and the toxicity depends upon its chemical form and oxidation states [2]. The toxicity of arsenical in animals depends on species, sex, age, exposure dose, duration of exposure, organic or inorganic form, valence state, etc. [3]. In natural water, arsenic is mostly exist in inorganic and organic form [4] and the inorganic form has been found to be more toxic. Among the various arsenical compounds, arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is mostly used in synthesis of various inorganic and organic compounds and in agricultural chemicals. It is also used as a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of hematological malignancies [5]. Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) was a dominant species in most of the arsenic contaminated areas in India and which is almost 50% of the total area arsenic level [6].