Health risks from exposure to arsenic

• April 26, 2024

The arsenic it is an element that is distributed throughout the earth's crust. It is classified as a metalloid, which has metal properties, such as non-metallic element. It exists in the environment generally combined with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine and sulfur, which is when it is called as inorganic arsenic. Organic arsenic is combined with carbon and hydrogen.

Not much is known about the effects of organic arsenic compounds in the Humans. Studies in animals show that simple organic compounds are less toxic than inorganic ones, according to the portal greenfacts.org.

What happens when a human has arsenic in the body?

When a person arrives inhaling arsenic, the amount that the blood system Absorb depends on two factors: its solubility and the size of the particles in the air that contain it. Much of the arsenic that appears in the body comes from food. In most cases, arsenic compounds are rapidly transformed and eliminated through urine.

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and the Disease Registry (ATSDR by its acronym in English) indicates that the health risks caused by arsenic can be some of the following:

The inhalation High levels of inorganic arsenic can cause sore throat and irritation in the lungs.

Its ingestion in high levels can cause the death. The exposition at low levels it produces nausea, vomiting, decrease in the number of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm , capillary fragility and Tingling sensation in hands and feet.

The Ingestion or prolonged inhalation of low levels of inorganic arsenic It produces darkening of the skin and the appearance of calluses or warts on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and on the torso.

In contact with the skin, with inorganic arsenic, can produce redness and swelling  

Video Medicine: Arsenic Poisoning ¦ Treatment and Symptoms (April 2024).