Arsenic is a naturally occurring, metalloid (A metalloid is a substance that is not a metal but shares many qualities with metals) component of the Earth’s crust.
Minuscule quantities of arsenic occur in all rock (you cannot get arsenic poisoning from touching to rocks, unless you are breaking them) air, water, and soil.
The main cause of arsenic poisoning worldwide is the drinking of groundwater that contains high levels of the toxin.
The water becomes contaminated underground by rocks that release the arsenic.
Arsenic, consumed in large amounts, can kill a person rapidly.
Consumed in smaller amounts over a long period, it can cause serious illness or a prolonged death.
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Cause
Side effects when arsenic or a substance containing arsenic in breathed in or ingested.
Arsenic in the workplace
If proper safety measures are not taken, workers in certain industries may face a higher risk of toxicity.
These industries include:
Glass production
Smelting
Wood treatment
the production and use of some pesticides
The method through which arsenic enters the human body in these industries depends on the way the arsenic is being used.
For example, arsenic may be inhaled in the smelting industry, as there is inorganic arsenic in coke emissions. In the wood treatment industry, it may be absorbed through the skin if a chemical containing arsenic makes contact.
There may be traces of arsenic in some foods, such as meat, poultry, and fish. Normally, poultry contains the highest level of arsenic, due to antibiotics in the chicken feed.
Rice has also been found to potentially contain higher levels of arsenic than water.
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Arsenic Poisoning in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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