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Arsenic is a chemical element belonging to the group of nitrides. The main natural source of arsenic is volcanic eruptions. Arsenic was first extracted in the XNUMXth century by Albert the Great, but in ancient times preparations based on or with the addition of arsenic were used to treat skin diseases and pneumonia.
Arsenic – properties
Arsenic became a popular medicine in the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. The healing properties attributed to this element meant that it began to be used in the form of tablets, pastes and solutions for intravenous or subcutaneous administration to treat diseases such as asthma, malaria, syphilis, tuberculosis, rheumatism, hypertension, gastric and duodenal ulcers, heartburn, skin diseases .
In the mid-twentieth century, it was recognized that arsenic is more harmful than helpful, and arsenic preparations were removed from pharmacies. Scientific studies have shown that especially inorganic arsenic, used in the manufacture of drugs, is a carcinogen. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in this element, showing that arsenic-based preparations can be used in the treatment of cancer diseases.
Arsenic – harmfulness
Arsenic is a substance that is harmful to health and even highly poisonous. It negatively affects the enzymatic processes in the body’s cells and has a carcinogenic effect. Arsenic disrupts the work of the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory and reproductive systems, has an adverse effect on the production of hormones and the body’s immunity.
Symptoms of arsenic poisoning usually occur after many years of taking this element (e.g. in the form of medicinal preparations or due to its industrial use). The effects of taking arsenic are mainly: neoplastic diseases, especially cancers of the skin, lungs, kidneys, liver and bladder.
Arsenic also causes skin keratosis, discoloration and dermatitis, or inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (if taken by mouth). Arsenic compounds are found not only in food, but also in the air, so the harmful effect of this element on the human body is a real threat. However, taking small doses of arsenic for a long time makes the body immune to this poison.
See also: The seven most poisonous plants
Arsenic – symptoms of arsenic poisoning
After ingestion of arsenic (or exposure to high doses of this element in the air), vomiting, a metallic taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, diarrhea and muscle aches appear. A red rash appears on the skin exposed to arsenic. Poisoning with a large dose of arsenic causes cardiovascular arrest, kidney and liver function, which leads to death.
Long-term exposure to lower doses of arsenic may lead to infertility, breathing difficulties, cardiac arrhythmias and limb ischemia.
Arsenic is not excreted from the body in metabolic processes – it is deposited in it, accumulates and slowly poisons all systems and organs.
See also: Food poisoning – symptoms
Arsenic – treatment of arsenic poisoning
Treatment depends on the type and stage of arsenic poisoning. Some of the methods used remove arsenic from the human body before it causes any damage. Others repair or minimize the damage that has already occurred. Treatment methods include:
- removing clothes that could be contaminated with arsenic;
- thorough washing and rinsing of infected skin;
- blood transfusions;
- taking heart medications in cases where the heart begins to weaken;
- taking supplements that reduce the risk of potentially fatal problems with your heart rhythm;
- monitoring of kidney function.
A complete bowel lavage is another option. A special solution passes through the digestive tract, washing out their contents. Rinsing removes traces of arsenic and prevents it from being absorbed into the intestines.
Additionally, chelation therapy can also be used. This treatment uses certain chemicals, including dimercaptosuccinic acid and dimercaprol, to isolate arsenic from blood proteins.
Arsenic in food
According to studies that were conducted on a group of women and men who consumed at least one portion of fish a week, the arsenic concentration in the body was 7,4 percent higher than in people who consumed fish only once a month. According to the conducted research, the greatest source of this element are fish with dark meat, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, swordfish and sardines.
According to information published in the American monthly reviewing consumer products Consumer Reports, white and brown rice have a higher concentration of arsenic than other cereals, vegetables and fruits. Experts believe that rice is much better at absorbing naturally occurring arsenic and its residues resulting from the pesticides used in crops.
It is also worth mentioning that cruciferous vegetables are other foods that are high in arsenic such as, for example, Brussels sprouts. According to a study published in the Nutrition Journal, in the case of people who consume Brussels sprouts at least once a week, the concentration of this element will be 10 percent higher than the level of arsenic in the body of people who did not eat it.
Scientists agree that this may be related to the high sulfur content of cruciferous vegetables, as the compounds containing this element are easily combined with arsenic. However, we must not forget that vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale or Brussels sprouts belong to the flu of one of the healthiest vegetables on our tables, and if we eat them in moderation, we are not in danger.
we recommend: Seven healthy foods that can be poisonous
How Do I Get Rid of Arsenic in Foods?
Arsenic is found in foods such as beer, Brussels sprouts, cocoa, rice, seafood and fish, especially in foods sourced from Asia. The rice should be poured overnight with water, then rinsed several times, and then boiled in fresh water. In the case of fish and seafood, it is worth paying attention to what waters they come from – arsenic pollution is particularly high in Asia.
Arsenic and stimulants
According to experts, when consuming wine or beer, we also deliver large doses of arsenic to our body. According to studies of women who consume 5 to 6 glasses of wine a week, the concentration of arsenic in the body will be 20 percent higher than the concentration of this element in the body of people who consume much less alcohol or do not drink it at all.
Unfortunately, the high concentration of arsenic in the body is not only associated with alcohol consumption. According to research, smokers may also be exposed to the natural content of inorganic arsenic in tobacco because tobacco plants can absorb arsenic naturally present in the soil. Moreover, in the past, the potential for increased arsenic exposure was much greater when tobacco plants were treated with an insecticide containing lead arsenate.
Arsenic – poisoning prevention
The most important action is to prevent further arsenic exposure by ensuring safe drinking water supply, food preparation and irrigation of crops. There are many options for reducing arsenic levels in drinking water:
- Swap high arsenic sources such as groundwater to low arsenic sources that are microbiologically safe, such as rainwater and treated surface water;
- Distinguish between high arsenic and low arsenic sources, e.g. by testing arsenic levels in water and determining them appropriately;
- Combine low-arsenic water with higher-arsenic water to achieve an acceptable arsenic concentration level;
- Install arsenic removal systems – centralized or in-house – and ensure proper disposal of the removed arsenic. Arsenic removal technologies include oxidation, solidification-precipitation, absorption, ion exchange, and membrane techniques. There are an increasing number of effective and inexpensive options for removing arsenic from small or household household items, although there is still limited evidence of the extent to which such systems have been used successfully over a long period of time.
Long-term measures are also needed to reduce occupational exposure.
Education and community involvement are equally important as these are key factors in ensuring effective interventions. People need to understand the risks that arise from high arsenic exposure and exposure to arsenic sources, including arsenic uptake by crops (eg Rice) from irrigation water and arsenic leakage into food from cooking water.
Arsen and the position of WHO
Arsenic is one of the top 10 chemicals for public health according to the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO’s efforts to reduce arsenic exposure include setting guide values, reviewing the evidence, and recommendations for contamination prevention. The World Health Organization also publishes guidelines for drinking water quality. The guidelines are intended to be used as a basis for regulation and standard-setting worldwide.
Currently, the recommended limit of arsenic in drinking water is 10 μg / L, although this indicative value is temporary due to practical difficulties in removing arsenic from drinking water. Therefore, every effort should be made to ensure that the arsenic concentration is as low as possible and below the guideline value.
Unfortunately, millions of people around the world are still exposed to concentrations of arsenic well above the recommended value (100 μg / L or more), so reducing their exposure should be a priority for public health. Where it is difficult to achieve the guidance value, Member States may set higher limits or transitional values as part of an overall phasing-in risk reduction strategy taking into account local circumstances, available resources and risks from arsenic sources which are microbiologically contaminated.
The WHO / UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WHO / UNICEF) monitors progress towards meeting global drinking water goals. In line with the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the ‘Safely Managed Drinking Water Services’ index calls for the monitoring of the population gaining access to drinking water free of faecal contamination and priority chemical pollutants, including arsenic.
Other uses of arsenic
Arsenic is also used outside medicine. It is used in the production of semiconductors, in order to improve the quality of some metal alloys and in the production of war gases. Arsenic is also used in tanning and wood impregnation, and as a green tinting agent for glass.
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