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Arsenic is a chemical element; it has symbol As and atomic number 33. Arsenic occurs in many minerals, usually in combination with sulfur and metals, but also as a pure elemental crystal. Arsenic is a notoriously toxic metalloid. It has various allotropes, but only the grey form, which has a metallic appearance, is important to industry.
- metallic grey
- grey (most common), yellow, black (see Allotropes of arsenic)
- Overview
- Sources of Exposure
- Health Effects
- Magnitude of The Problem
- Prevention and Control
- Who Response
Arsenic is a natural component of the earth’s crust and is widely distributed throughout the environment in the air, water and land. It is highly toxic in its inorganic form. People are exposed to elevated levels of inorganic arsenic through drinking contaminated water, using contaminated water in food preparation and irrigation of food crops, indu...
Drinking-water and food The greatest threat to public health from arsenic originates from contaminated groundwater. Inorganic arsenic is naturally present at high levels in the groundwater of a number of countries, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, China, India, Mexico, Pakistan, the United States of America and Viet Nam. Drinking-w...
Inorganic arsenic is a confirmed carcinogen and is the most significant chemical contaminant in drinking-water globally. Arsenic can also occur in an organic form. Inorganic arsenic compounds (such as those found in water) are highly toxic while organic arsenic compounds (such as those found in seafood) are less harmful to health. Acute effects The...
Arsenic contamination of groundwater is widespread and there are a number of regions where arsenic contamination of drinking-water is significant. An estimated 140 million people in at least 70 countries have been drinking water containing arsenic at levels above the WHO provisional guideline value of 10 μg/L (4, 5). This is consistent with recent ...
The most important action in affected communities is the prevention of further exposure to arsenic by the provision of a safe water supply for drinking, food preparation and irrigation of food crops. There are a number of options to reduce levels of arsenic in drinking-water. 1. Substitute high-arsenic sources, such as groundwater, with low-arsenic...
Arsenic is one of WHO’s 10 chemicals of major public health concern. WHO’s work to reduce arsenic exposure includes setting guideline values, reviewing evidence and providing risk management recommendations. WHO publishes a guideline value for arsenic in its Guidelines for drinking-water quality. The Guidelines are intended for use as the basis for...
May 24, 2017 · Treatment. Complications. Outlook. Prevention. How toxic is arsenic? Arsenic poisoning, or arsenicosis, occurs after the ingestion or inhalation of high levels of arsenic. Arsenic is a type...
- Kristeen Cherney
- 6
Apr 20, 2024 · Arsenic, a chemical element in the nitrogen group (Group 15 [Va] of the periodic table), existing in both gray and yellow crystalline forms. Its chemical symbol is As, and it was first clearly identified as a free substance in 1649 by German pharmacist Johann Schroeder.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Arsenic, atomic number 33 lies in between phosphorus and antimony in group 15, the so called Nitrogen group of the periodic table. Members of the group including of course nitrogen, along with arsenic, phosphorous, antimony and bismuth are particularly stable in compounds because they tend to form double or triple covalent bonds.
Arsenic poisoning occurs when you ingest or consume high levels of arsenic. It shares features of other heavy metal poisonings, including mercury and lead. You can experience arsenic poisoning quickly, but long-term exposure to the element is more common. This may be through contaminated groundwater, air, soil or food.
Nov 13, 2023 · National Institute ofEnvironmental Health Sciences. Last Reviewed: November 13, 2023. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is widely distributed in the Earth’s crust. It is found in water, air, food, and soil. Exposure to arsenic affects human health.
