Arsenic & compounds: Health effects
Description
Very high levels of arsenic can result in death. Consumption of lower levels of arsenic can cause digestive tract pain, nausea, vomiting and other stomach disorders, decreased production of red and white blood cells, damage to blood vessels, abnormal heart rhythms, a 'pins and needles' feeling in the hands and feet and liver and kidney damage.
Ingesting or inhaling low levels of inorganic arsenic for a long time can cause a darkening of the skin and the appearance of small 'corns' or 'warts' on the hands, feet and torso. Contact with inorganic arsenic may also cause redness and swelling to the skin.
Studies show that ingestion of inorganic arsenic can increase the risk of skin, lung, bladder, liver, kidney or prostate cancer. Inhalation of inorganic arsenic can increase the risk of lung cancer. Inorganic arsenic is a recognised human carcinogen, a substance capable of causing cancer.
Some studies have indicated that long-term exposure to low levels of arsenic in children may result in lower IQ scores. Children may be less efficient at converting inorganic arsenic to the less toxic organic arsenic. For this reason, children may be more susceptible to health effects than adults.
Some evidence exists that inhaled or ingested arsenic can affect pregnant women and their unborn babies. Large doses that cause illness to the pregnant females can also cause low birth weight, foetal malformations or foetal death. Arsenic can cross the placenta and may be found in foetal tissues. Arsenic has also been found at low levels in breast milk.
Entering the body
Arsenic and compounds can enter the body by inhalation or ingestion.
Exposure
Exposure to arsenic can occur by drinking water or eating foods containing trace amounts of arsenic, by breathing sawdust or smoke from wood treated with arsenic (e.g. CCA (copper chrome arsenate) treated timbers), living in areas with unusually high levels of arsenic in the rock or soil or from working in a job that involves arsenic production or use (such as copper or lead smelting, wood treatment or pesticide application).
Arsenic can be used as a timber preservative or as an insecticide to prevent termites.
Health guidelines
Workplace exposure:
Currently, the eight-hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit is 0.05 milligrams arsenic and soluble compounds per cubic metre of air. Consult your state or territory occupational health and safety agency for current sources of information.
Australian drinking water guidelines:
In 2004, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the National Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC) established the following guideline for acceptable water quality:
Based on health considerations, the concentration should not exceed 0.007 milligrams of arsenic per litre of drinking water.
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