We all know that arsenic is a poisonous chemical capable of killing not only animals and pests but also humans.
Arsenic is a metalloid that can be organic or inorganic in composition. Organic arsenic is naturally found in Mother Nature's environment.
At the same time, inorganic arsenic is produced by humans and human waste materials, such as chemicals and metals.
Inorganic arsenic is the most toxic and lethal chemical compared to organic arsenic because it is produced by humans combined with other poisonous chemical compounds. However, inorganic and organic arsenic are toxic wherever and however you look.
Organic arsenic is naturally found in groundwater and surface water, which is used as a source of drinking water. Some arsenic compounds are found in marine organisms and the natural flora of marine water.
Volcanic activity is usually the main source of arsenic, and due to volatilization in low temperatures, arsenic is naturally produced.
Arsenic can also be mMan can also make arsenicosis. Mining and smelting alloys produce inorganic arsenic, also found in agricultural chemicals and pharmaceutical drugs.
Sometimes, people are unaware that arsenic can also be found at home. As deadly as it is, arsenic is used as a chemical additive in pesticides to control pests. It is an effective chemical that kills rodents, ants, cockroaches, and larvae. It can also kill snails that have been infesting agricultural and homegrown plants.
According to the World Health Organization, a non-government agency, arsenic is one of the major causes of poisoning and death since arsenic is naturally found in groundwater and is somewhat the source of drinking water in some undeveloped countries in the world.
How Can I Be Exposed To Arsenic?
Since arsenic is a natural aspect of our environment, everybody is exposed to limited amounts. The significant source of arsenic exposure in drinking water contains increased levels of arsenic. Different sources of arsenic exposure include:
-
foods containing traces of arsenic
-
smoke from wood, coal, tobacco products
-
dust from some industrial processes
-
Pesticides
-
anti-parasitic veterinary medicines
-
folk remedies
-
some treated lumber
Individuals who are exposed to arsenic for a long time can encounter different health issues. Arsenic can be easily absorbed into the human system by drinking contaminated water or inhaling airborne particulates.
However, using water containing arsenic to wash and for household chores is generally safe. Arsenic is not easily absorbed through the skin and does not evaporate from the water into the air.
Public Drinking Water Standard
Arsenic is controlled in public drinking water systems by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a most acceptable limit, known as a maximum contaminant level (MCL). It has been set up for it to ensure against long-term exposure.
The MCL for total arsenic has long been 50 ppb. However, in the 1990s, new investigations led to the development of technologies for distinguishing minute concentrations of contaminants.
Appropriate therapies permitted regulators to lower the MCL and improve general well-being protection from chronic health impacts. Another standard of 10 ppb became effective on January 23, 2006.
The Effects of Arsenic on Our Health
Arsenic is naturally found in groundwater, and humans and chemical waste materials cause some of it. Thus, arsenic also pollutes and contaminates land, air, and water.
When an individual is exposed to arsenic, symptoms of poisoning occur. Depending on the severity of exposure, the initial symptoms of arsenic poisoning are confusion, severe diarrhea, headache, and drowsiness.
When left untreated, severe diarrhea leads to dehydration due to a large amount of water from the body being excreted compared to the amount of water being taken. When arsenic poisoning develops to a severity, convulsions and fingernail pigmentation occur.
This pigmentation present in fingernails is medically called Leukonychia Striata. When left untreated and becomes acute, the symptoms of acute arsenic poisoning are nausea and vomiting, blood in the urine, as well as hematemesis or vomiting of blood, medically known as alopecia or hair loss, muscle cramps, and stomach pains.
When left untreated, arsenic poisoning can lead to brain damage and sometimes can lead to death.
Long-term arsenic ingestion from drinking water is highly associated with a greater risk of skin cancer. There is substantial evidence that it increases the risk for cancers of the bladder, lung, kidney, liver, colon, and prostate.
If you have ingested water that has been contaminated by arsenic, the possible effect on your health will rely on the following factors:
-
How much arsenic have you been exposed to?
-
How long and how often have you been exposed?
-
The type of arsenic you have been exposed to.
-
Your health, nutrition, age, and lifestyle.
What is the Amount of Arsenic That Can Lethally Affect Our Health?
According to the World Health Organization, the estimated dose of arsenic that can cause poisoning is 70 to 200 mg or 1 mg/kg/day. This dosage also depends on who will consume it. If it were to be consumed by children, the dose of 70 mg is already so toxic to their health that the initial symptoms can occur.
What about adults? Well, since adults are already exposed to certain pollutants and chemicals in the environment and in their daily lives, at home, on the road, and at work, and depending on their existing exposure to other chemicals, the amount of arsenic poisoning can sometimes exceed 200 mg, which is already lethal.
The USGS has created maps that show where and how much arsenic happens in groundwater throughout the country. The current maps depend on tests from 31,350 wells. Widespread high concentrations were found in the West, the Midwest, Texas, and the Northeast.
How Does Arsenic Enter My Private Water System?
It is generally believed that naturally occurring arsenic dissolves out of certain rock formations when groundwater levels drop.
Surface arsenic-related contaminants enter the groundwater system by continuously moving with groundwater flow from rainfall, snow melting, and other sources.
In any case, continuous testing for arsenic is a significant procedure for private water system owners to protect their families' overall health.
Is My Private Well At Risk?
In the same way as other contaminants in drinking water, the component is conceivably hazardous at levels or concentrations that do not reveal a distinct taste, odor, or appearance to the water.
Your best strategy is to get your water tested and gather as much information as possible about your water supply source, well construction, surrounding land use, and local topography. If you have an arsenic issue, water treatment technologies are now available to reduce or eliminate arsenic from your drinking water.
Note: Do not simply test your water for arsenic. Otherwise, other primary and secondary drinking water guidelines might be raised or interfere with the proposed remediation system.
What Can I Use My Water For If Arsenic contaminates it?
Arsenic is not effectively absorbed through the skin. However, water contaminated with arsenic can be used for handwashing, washing clothes, and gardening.
Yet, care should be taken when watering vegetables like beetroot, turnips, carrots, and potatoes, as their skin can contain arsenic. Additionally, cats and animals should not drink contaminated water.
How is Arsenic Removed from Our Drinking Water?
Nowadays, there are different ways to remove arsenic from drinking water. Since arsenic can cause poisoning, we must ensure our family's drinking water is safe.
There are many ways to remove arsenic and other chemicals and microorganisms in drinking water.
Since water is necessary for life, we must ensure it doesn't contain microorganisms and sediments that can cause diseases.
Most importantly, it won't contain poisonous chemicals that can harm our loved ones.
We usually do to have the assurance that these microorganisms and chemicals are removed from our drinking water because we typically boil drinking water to the point that pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and poisonous chemicals are dissolved, but are they?
Although arsenic can be safely removed from water through filtration, we cannot assure ourselves that it is safe for the family.
As family members, we just wanted to ensure they get the best, especially concerning their health and welfare.
Public water treatment facilities filter water using various methods, including chemicals as reagents. Some facilities also use radiation to kill bacteria and viruses.
Knowing that chemicals and radiation are dangerous to health, we want to make sure our family won't be exposed to its toxicity.
One way to ensure that no arsenic and other chemicals are found in drinking water is to use Berkey Water Filters for the safety and comfort of the home. Berkey can remove 99.9% of arsenic from the e wastewater, getting your know family to drink the drinkest water possible.
← Older Post Newer Post →