Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in the environment that can enter the food supply through soil, water or air. It has also been known to be used by farmers as a pesticide and a fertilizer.
Arsenic is a widely
found contaminant which occurs both naturally and as a result of human
activity.
Arsenic is a
metalloid that occurs in different inorganic and organic – i.e. containing
carbon – forms. These are found in the environment both from natural occurrence
and from anthropogenic activity. The inorganic
forms of arsenic are more toxic as compared to the organic arsenic.
Fish, shellfish, meat
and poultry can also be dietary sources of arsenic, although exposure from
these foods is generally much lower compared to exposure through contaminated
groundwater. In seafood, arsenic is mainly found in its less toxic organic
form.
Acceptance level
of Natural mineral water is 0.01 mg/L.
Acute effects: The immediate symptoms of acute arsenic poisoning include vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. These are followed by numbness and tingling of the extremities, muscle cramping and death, in extreme cases.
Long-term effects:
The main adverse effects reported to be associated with long term ingestion of
inorganic arsenic in humans are: skin lesions, cancer, developmental toxicity,
neurotoxicity, cardiovascular diseases, abnormal glucose metabolism and
diabetes.
Inorganic arsenic
exposure in utero and in the very young is associated with impaired
intellectual development, such as decreased performance on certain
developmental tests that measure learning. For this reason, the FDA prioritizes
monitoring and regulating products that are more likely to be consumed by very
young children.
Arsenic is also
associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and infant mortality, with impacts
on child health (1), and
exposure in utero and in early childhood has been linked to increases in
mortality in young adults due to multiple cancers, lung disease, heart attacks,
and kidney failure (2).
Numerous studies have demonstrated negative impacts of arsenic exposure on
cognitive development, intelligence, and memory (3).
Substitute high-arsenic sources, such as groundwater, with low-arsenic, microbiologically safe sources such as rain water and treated surface water. Low-arsenic water can be used for drinking, cooking and irrigation purposes, whereas high-arsenic water can be used for other purposes such as bathing and washing clothes.
- Discriminate between
high-arsenic and low-arsenic sources. For example, test water for arsenic
levels and paint tube wells or hand pumps different colours. This can be
an effective and low-cost means to rapidly reduce exposure to arsenic when
accompanied by effective education.
- Blend low-arsenic water with
higher-arsenic water to achieve an acceptable arsenic concentration level.
- Install arsenic removal
systems – either centralized or domestic – and ensure the appropriate
disposal of the removed arsenic. Technologies for arsenic removal include
oxidation, coagulation-precipitation, absorption, ion exchange, and
membrane techniques. There is an increasing number of effective and
low-cost options for removing arsenic from small or household supplies,
though there is still limited evidence about the extent to which such
systems are used effectively over sustained periods of time.
Reference:
1. Association of arsenic with adverse pregnancy
outcomes/infant mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Quansah R,
Armah FA, Essumang DK, Luginaah I, Clarke E, Marfoh K, et al. Environ Health
Perspect. 2015; 123 (5): 412-21.
2. In utero and early life arsenic exposure in relation to long-term
health and disease.
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. Farzan SF, Karagas MR, Chen Y. 2013; 272 (2):384-90.
3. The developmental neurotoxicity of arsenic: cognitive and behavioral
consequences of early life exposure. Tolins M, Ruchirawat M, Landrigan P. Ann
Glob Health. 2014; 80 (4):303-14.
4. Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, toxins
and Residues) Regulations, 2011
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