Arsenic in Water: Understanding the Silent Threat

Abstract

In Minnesota, arsenic is found naturally in soil and rocks. Volcanoes, the weathering of minerals and ores that contain arsenic, and commercial or industrial processes all release arsenic into the atmosphere. Groundwater that could be used for drinking water may absorb trace amounts. Compared to organic and inorganic arsenic, inorganic arsenic is typically too toxic. In certain nations, inorganic arsenic can be found in private well water, copper-chromated arsenate-treated lumber, and industrial settings. For the vast majority, drinking water contaminated with naturally occurring inorganic arsenic is the source of contact. The biggest risk to public health is drinking water polluted with arsenic, which can increase the risk of cancer and other serious health consequences. The most common ways that arsenic exposure results in disease are through ingestion and inhalation. The symptoms of arsine gas poisoning differ significantly from those of other types of arsenic poisoning. Arsine rapidly linked itself to red blood cells after inhalation, causing irreversible destruction of the cell membrane. Neurological, respiratory, hematologic, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and other systems can all be adversely affected by arsenic. Arsenic causes cancer in several of organ systems. Skin, lung, prostate, bladder and liver angiosarcoma, are the most prevalent forms of cancer. The central nervous system, cell respiration, inhibition of the pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme complex, and overt gastrointestinal disturbances may be caused by acute or subacute exposure to As (more than a few mg of inorganic arsenic/day). Chronic arsenic hyperpigmentation can affect mucous membranes in addition to the trunk, where it manifests itself as a thinly dappled “raindrop” manner. Arsenic is a teratogen and a reproductive toxin. The concentrations in the cord blood and maternal blood are comparable, and it is transferred across the placenta. The chapter focuses on causal inference, which is also known as hazard identification and clinical prevention in the terminology of risk assessment.