The main cause of arsenic poisoning worldwide is the drinking of groundwater that contains high levels of the toxin. Consumed in smaller amounts over a long period, it can cause serious illness or a prolonged death. The main cause of arsenic poisoning is the consumption of a toxic amount of arsenic.Īrsenic, consumed in large amounts, can kill a person rapidly. On occasion, these levels may exceed the amount a human can safely ingest. Share on Pinterest Groundwater possesses trace amounts of arsenic. nervous system complications, such as loss of sensation in the limbs and hearing problems.ComplicationsĬomplications linked to long-term arsenic consumption include: In the final stage, symptoms include seizures and shock. a metallic taste in the mouth and garlicky breathĪrsenic poisoning typically affects the skin, liver, lungs, and kidneys.Signs and symptoms associated with more severe cases of arsenic poisoning are: As the arsenic poisoning progresses, the patient may start experiencing convulsions, and their fingernail pigmentation may change. If arsenic has been inhaled, or a less concentrated amount has been ingested, symptoms may take longer to develop. This will often depend on the method of exposure.Ī person who has swallowed arsenic may show signs and symptoms within 30 minutes. The symptoms of arsenic poisoning can be acute, or severe and immediate, or chronic, where damage to health is experienced over a longer period. Arsenic-based chemotherapy drugs, such as arsenic trioxide, are already in use for some cancers. This cell-altering ability may be useful in cancer treatment, as some studies have shown it can send the disease into remission and help thin the blood. This impairs the ability of the cell to generate energy and communicate with other cells. They are more likely to react with the cells in the body, displace certain elements from the cell, and change the cell’s function.įor example, cells use phosphate for energy generation and signaling, but one form of arsenic, known as arsenate, can imitate and replace the phosphate in the cell. Inorganic arsenic compounds are more harmful than organic ones. Organic forms of arsenic also contain carbon, but inorganic forms do not. It can be found combined with other elements in different chemical compounds. Natural conditions can also lead to a higher concentration. This could be a result of human activity, such as metal mining or the use of pesticides. The concentration of arsenic may be higher in certain geographical regions. A metalloid is a substance that is not a metal but shares many qualities with metals. Minuscule quantities of arsenic occur in all rock, air, water, and soil. Share on Pinterest The effects of arsenic are dangerous, but overexposure to it is very rare.Īrsenic is a naturally occurring, metalloid component of the Earth’s crust.
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