Paris green facts for kids
Paris green, also known as copper(II) acetoarsenite, is a special chemical compound. It is made up of tiny parts called ions, including copper, acetate, and arsenite. The copper in this compound has a specific electrical charge.
Contents
What is Paris Green Like?
Paris green is a solid material. It has a very bright, striking blue-green color. If left out in the air, its color can become darker over time. It is also extremely poisonous.
How Paris Green is Made
People make Paris green by mixing copper(II) acetate with arsenic trioxide and water. These ingredients react together to form the compound.
What Was Paris Green Used For?
Paris green has had many uses throughout history, but most of them are no longer allowed today.
Early Uses and Its Name
It was first used to kill rats in the sewers of Paris. This is how it got its name!
Fighting Pests and Diseases
Paris green was also used as an insecticide, which means it killed insects. For example, it was dropped from airplanes over swamps in Italy. This helped to stop the spread of malaria by killing the mosquitoes that carried the disease.
As a Color Pigment
It was also a popular bright green pigment. Artists and painters used it to create vibrant green colors. It was even painted on ships to stop barnacles from growing on their hulls.
Why It's Not Used Much Anymore
Because Paris green is so poisonous, it is now banned in many places around the world. It is only used in a very few specific situations today.
Safety Information
Paris green is extremely toxic and dangerous. In the past, when it was more common, it was a frequent cause of accidental poisoning. It is very important to handle this chemical with extreme care, or better yet, avoid it completely.
Related pages
Images for kids
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A small part of the Cu2As3O6(OAc) structure, showing the [As3O6]3- ligand. Copper is blue, arsenic is large gray, carbon is gray, and oxygen is red.
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A poster from the US Public Health Service showing Paris green being used as an insecticide.
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See also
In Spanish: Verde de París para niños
