Neil Bradbury: The dark history of arsenic

The dark history of arsenic

No substance has been as constant an ally to insidious scheming as arsenic, the so-called “king of poisons.” In its chemically pure form, it isn’t much of a threat because our bodies don’t absorb it well; it’s when arsenic combines with other elements that things get dangerous. So, how did this substance become such a popular poison? Neil Bradbury digs into the element's sordid and lethal history. [Directed by Luisa Holanda, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Gabriel Maia].

Arsenic has haunted history as the poison of choice for rulers and schemers, earning the nickname “inheritance powder” in 17th-century France. Its odorless, tasteless form made it nearly undetectable, fueling both accidental and deliberate deaths for centuries. At one point, 80% of English wallpaper contained arsenic, causing mysterious illnesses and deaths until public outcry led to bans. Only with the invention of reliable forensic tests did society begin to strip arsenic of its invisible menace.