December 2003 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Arsenic |
(Arsénico) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about arsenic. For more information,
you may call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737.
This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous
substances and their health effects. This information is important
because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure
to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration,
how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether
other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to higher
than average levels of arsenic occurs mostly in the workplace,
near hazardous waste sites, or in areas with high natural
levels. At high levels, inorganic arsenic can cause death.
Exposure to lower levels for a long time can cause a discoloration
of the skin and the appearance of small corns or warts.
Arsenic has been found at 1,014 of the 1,598 National
Priority List sites identified by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). |
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What
is arsenic? |
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element
widely distributed in the earth's crust. In the environment,
arsenic is combined with oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur to form
inorganic arsenic compounds. Arsenic in animals and plants
combines with carbon and hydrogen to form organic arsenic
compounds.
Inorganic arsenic compounds are mainly
used to preserve wood. Organic arsenic compounds are used
as pesticides, primarily on cotton plants.
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What
happens to arsenic when it enters the environment? |
- Arsenic cannot be destroyed in the environment. It can
only change its form.
- Arsenic in air will settle to the ground or is washed
out of the air by rain.
- Many arsenic compounds can dissolve in water.
- Fish and shellfish can accumulate arsenic, but the arsenic
in fish is mostly in a form that is not harmful.
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How
might I be exposed to arsenic? |
- Eating food, drinking water, or breathing air containing
arsenic.
- Breathing contaminated workplace air.
- Breathing sawdust or burning smoke from wood treated with
arsenic.
- Living near uncontrolled hazardous waste sites containing
arsenic.
- Living in areas with unusually high natural levels of
arsenic in rock.
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How
can arsenic affect my health? |
Breathing high levels of inorganic arsenic
can give you a sore throat or irritated lungs. Ingesting high
levels of inorganic arsenic can result in death. Lower levels
of arsenic can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production
of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage
to blood vessels, and a sensation of "pins and needles" in
hands and feet.
Ingesting or breathing 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 palms, soles, and torso.
Skin contact with inorganic arsenic may
cause redness and swelling.
Organic arsenic compounds are less toxic
than inorganic arsenic compounds. Exposure to high levels
of some organic arsenic compounds may cause similar effects
as inorganic arsenic.
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How
likely is arsenic to cause cancer? |
Several studies have shown that inorganic
arsenic can increase the risk of lung cancer, skin cancer,
bladder cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, and prostate
cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO), the Department
of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the EPA have determined
that inorganic arsenic is a human carcinogen.
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How
does arsenic affect children? |
We do not know if exposure to arsenic
will result in birth defects or other developmental effects
in people. Birth defects have been observed in animals exposed
to inorganic arsenic.
It is likely that health effects seen
in children exposed to high amounts of arsenic will be similar
to the effects seen in adults.
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How
can families reduce their risk for exposure to arsenic? |
- If you use arsenic-treated wood in home projects, you
should wear dust masks, gloves, and protective clothing
to decrease exposure to sawdust.
- If you live in an area with high levels of arsenic in
water or soil, you should use cleaner sources of water and
limit contact with soil.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to arsenic? |
There are tests to measure the level
of arsenic in blood, urine, hair, or fingernails. The urine
test is the most reliable test for arsenic exposure within
the last few days. Tests on hair and fingernails can measure
exposure to high levels or arsenic over the past 6-12 months.
These tests can determine if you have been exposed to above-average
levels of arsenic. They cannot predict how the arsenic levels
in your body will affect your health.
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
EPA has set limits on the amount of arsenic
that industrial sources can release to the environment and
has restricted or canceled many uses of arsenic in pesticides.
EPA has set a limit of 0.01 parts per million (ppm) for arsenic
in drinking water.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
has set limits of 10 microgram arsenic per cubic meter of
workplace air (10 µg/m³) for 8 hour shifts and
40 hour work weeks.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 2000. Toxicological
Profile for arsenic. Update. Atlanta, GA: U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
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Where can I get more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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