The toxicity of arsenic has been described as far back as 1500 BC in the Ebers papyrus. Exposure is also more common in people of low income and minorities. The areas most affected are Bangladesh and West Bengal. Through drinking water, more than 200 million people globally are exposed to higher-than-safe levels of arsenic. Dimercaptosuccinic acid or dimercaptopropane sulfonate may be used while dimercaprol (BAL) is not recommended. For acute poisonings treating dehydration is important. There is not good evidence to support specific treatments for long-term poisoning. This may be achieved by the use of special filters or using rainwater. Prevention is by using water that does not contain high levels of arsenic. Diagnosis is by testing the urine, blood, or hair. Arsenic acts by changing the functioning of around 200 enzymes. Other routes of exposure include toxic waste sites and pseudo-medicine. Recommended levels in water are less than 10–50 µg/L (10–50 parts per billion). It may also be found in the soil and air. Groundwater most often becomes contaminated naturally however, contamination may also occur from mining or agriculture. The most common reason for long-term exposure is contaminated drinking water. Long-term exposure can result in thickening of the skin, darker skin, abdominal pain, diarrhea, heart disease, numbness, and cancer. If arsenic poisoning occurs over a brief period of time, symptoms may include vomiting, abdominal pain, encephalopathy, and watery diarrhea that contains blood. Īcute: vomiting, abdominal pain, watery diarrhea Ĭhronic: thickened skin, darker skin, cancer ĭimercaptosuccinic acid, dimercaptopropane sulfonate Īrsenic poisoning is a medical condition that occurs due to elevated levels of arsenic in the body. Arsenic was known to be poisonous during the Victorian era. An 1889 newspaper advertisement for " arsenic complexion wafers".
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |