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Introduction to Basic Toxicology
Published in Armen S. Casparian, Gergely Sirokman, Ann O. Omollo, Rapid Review of Chemistry for the Life Sciences and Engineering, 2021
Armen S. Casparian, Gergely Sirokman, Ann O. Omollo
One anthropogenic source of arsenic that deserves special attention is pesticides. Pesticides include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides. The EPA currently lists 14 arsenical pesticide compounds that it monitors, e.g., lead arsenate and copper arsenite, sold under various trade names. While these are useful in controlling disease and protecting food supply, mounting scientific evidence exists that shows arsenic is more harmful to human health, especially children, than originally thought. Pesticides can be inhaled either during or after application, ingested if fruits or vegetables are not properly washed, or can be absorbed through the skin by touching surfaces that contain surface residues from having been treated. Pesticide exposure can cause both acute and chronic health effects. Acute health effects include coughing, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, eye irritation, and headaches. Chronic health problems, based on over 40 years of research, include a wide range of conditions associated with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, blood disorders, and certain cancers (lung, urinary bladder, skin, and kidney). Of course, children are at greater risk because of their smaller weight (mass) as well as the fact that they are still in their developmental stages. The best strategy to treat arsenic poisoning remains chelation therapy or kidney dialysis.
Effect of Arsenic on Human Health and Its Removal through Physiochemical Techniques
Published in Pankaj Chowdhary, Abhay Raj, Contaminants and Clean Technologies, 2020
Vishvas Hare, Pankaj Chowdhary, Siddharth Boudh, Anil Kumar Singh, Sujata Mani, Amit Kumar
Arsenic is a toxic metal and can cause acute and chronic toxicity in human beings. Acute arsenic poisoning causes vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach ache. Skin pigmentation disorder, keratosis, Blackfoot disorder, DNA impairment, inhibition of enzymatic sports and cancer are outcomes of persistent arsenic toxicity.
Risk from Groundwater Arsenic Exposure
Published in M. Manzurul Hassan, Arsenic in Groundwater, 2018
What kind of health impacts are posed by arsenic? Arsenic poisoning occurs as a result of the consumption of drinking water that naturally contains a high amount of inorganic arsenic. Arsenic exposure for humans occurs via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. The exposure pathways describe the means by which a receptor is exposed to a contaminant or chemical of concern (Mauro et al., 2000). The most deceptive and dangerous aspect of arsenic toxicity is its very slow and insidious development. There have been scientific discussions and debates about the evaluation of potential health risks associated with groundwater arsenic exposure at different exposure levels, particularly at low exposure levels (Schoen et al., 2004).
Removal of As(III) and As(V) from water using reduced GO-Fe0 filled PANI composite
Published in Journal of Applied Water Engineering and Research, 2022
Shreemoyee Bordoloi, Rupkamal Chetia, Geetika Borah, Surajit Konwer
Contamination of water from carcinogenic metalloid arsenic is creating a menace worldwide as a long time exposure to arsenic through drinking water can cause severe health problems (Thomas et al. 2007; Chakraborti et al. 2010). Chronic exposure to arsenic-contaminated drinking water is the major cause of arsenic poisoning in developing countries, such as, India (Chakraborti et al. 2002), Bangladesh (Roberts et al. 2011), China (Xie et al. 2009), Vietnam (Kim et al. 2009), where millions of people are using arsenic-contaminated groundwater with concentration above WHO guideline of 10 µg/L for arsenic (WHO, Environmental Health Criteria 224 2001; Berg et al. 2006). Arsenic is released into water sources by natural processes, such as dissolution and weathering of arsenic minerals or by some anthropogenic activities such as mining, use of arsenical pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers in agriculture, industrial effluents, improper disposal of chemical waste etc. Arsenate, As(V) (H3AsO4, , ) along with arsenite, As(III) (H3AsO3, , ), is the primary inorganic form in groundwater (Nickson et al. 2000). Greater attention is required for the removal of As(III) from groundwater due to its higher toxicity and mobility than As(V).
Aquaporins mediated arsenite transport in plants: Molecular mechanisms and applications in crop improvement
Published in Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 2020
Fenglin Deng, Xue Liu, Yanshan Chen, Bala Rathinasabapathi, Christopher Rensing, Jian Chen, Jue Bi, Ping Xiang, Lena Q. Ma
Arsenic (As) is a priority contaminant based on its toxicity to humans and animals (Li et al., 2019). Long-term exposure to As causes various diseases including cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and skin cancer (Li et al., 2017). In addition, As is ubiquitous in the environment, especially in soils, mostly resulting from anthropogenic activities (Bowell, Alpers, Jamieson, Nordstrom, & Majzlan, 2014; Chen, Hua, et al., 2017). Arsenic poisoning affects millions of people worldwide mainly through consumption of As-contaminated water and foods (Zhao, Ma, Zhu, Tang, & McGrath, 2015). Rice (Oryza sativa), the staple food for half of the world population, is efficient in As assimilation compared to other cereal crops (Williams et al., 2007), so it is critical to understand As accumulation mechanisms to reduce As contamination in rice.
Wicked problems facing integrated water quality management: what IWRA experts tell us
Published in Water International, 2018
James E. Nickum, Henning Bjornlund, Raya Marina Stephan
The quality of groundwater is a bit different. In aquifers, water is in close contact with different types of soil. And one of the properties of water that we know well is that it is an excellent solvent. Thus, the water in aquifers tends to dissolve compounds of the soil. Even though this is a natural process, in some cases aquifers are naturally ‘polluted’ with substances, such as arsenic or fluorides, at levels well above the concentrations that are acceptable for drinkable water. According to the World Health Organization, arsenic is naturally present at high levels in the groundwater of a number of countries, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, China, India, Mexico and the US. If this contaminated water is not treated, it can be a major health risk, whether it is used as drinking water, for irrigation or in food preparation. Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic can lead to chronic arsenic poisoning, characterized most often by skin lesions and skin cancer. The number of people affected can be very high. In Bangladesh alone, it is estimated that more than 45 million people are at risk of being exposed to arsenic concentrations that are higher than the national standard.