Arsenic

“Because of its sinister, homicidal uses, arsenic became world-renowned as the ‘inheritance powder,’” “What made arsenic such a good homicidal poison is the same thing that makes it dangerous in environmental exposures — it gives no warning” .

Arsenic occurs naturally

• Drinking water• Industrial by-products

– Smelting– Coal Emissions

• Treated wood• Pesticides or herbicides• Food

– Juices, Rice, Seafood

Forms of Arsenic

• Most common and stable– Arsenite (+3)– Arsenate (+5)

• Can bind to other elements to form inorganic/organic As.– Readily binds to Sulfur.

Why do we care?

• 20th most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust• A known multiple organ carcinogen• Non-cancer endpoints

Health Effects

Reproductive Effects

• Known developmental toxicant and teratogen.

• Readily crosses the placenta

Smedley, Pauline L.. 2008 Sources and distribution of arsenic in groundwater and aquifers. In: Appelo, Tony, (ed.) Arsenic in Groundwater : a World Problem. British Geological Survey

Arsenic: continues to poison the water of millions around the globe

As contamination around the world