arsenic “because of its sinister, homicidal uses, arsenic became world-renowned as the...
TRANSCRIPT
Arsenic
“Because of its sinister, homicidal uses, arsenic became world-renowned as the ‘inheritance powder,’” “What made arsenic such a good homicidal poison is the same thing that makes it dangerous in environmental exposures — it gives no warning” .
Arsenic occurs naturally
• Drinking water• Industrial by-products
– Smelting– Coal Emissions
• Treated wood• Pesticides or herbicides• Food
– Juices, Rice, Seafood
Forms of Arsenic
• Most common and stable– Arsenite (+3)– Arsenate (+5)
• Can bind to other elements to form inorganic/organic As.– Readily binds to Sulfur.
Why do we care?
• 20th most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust• A known multiple organ carcinogen• Non-cancer endpoints
Health Effects
Reproductive Effects
• Known developmental toxicant and teratogen.
• Readily crosses the placenta
Smedley, Pauline L.. 2008 Sources and distribution of arsenic in groundwater and aquifers. In: Appelo, Tony, (ed.) Arsenic in Groundwater : a World Problem. British Geological Survey
Arsenic: continues to poison the water of millions around the globe
As contamination around the world