Effects of toxic arsenic compounds in humans

Fig.1 AsH3

Due to the fact that inorganic arsenic is distributed in environment widely and naturally and that human and that human activities release arsenic compounds, humans could be exposed to relatively high level of toxic arsenic compounds through water, source of food such as seafood, not to mention those who have to work with arsenic, making arsenic compounds a great threat to human health. Exposure to certain level of toxic arsenic compounds could lead to a variety of health effects in humans. The adverse impact of arsenic on human health could be divided into two categories, acute effects as well as chronic effects [2]. As for acute effects, the immediate symptoms of exposure to toxic inorganic arsenic include nausea, stomachache, vomiting, and dyspepsia, and so on, because arsenic could cause nervous system disorders [3]. In addition, exposure to arsine also causes diverse symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pains, and anemia, and so on. As for chronic effects, the effects of inorganic arsenic on humans involve the damage to nervous system, digestive system, skin, mucous membranes and even children intelligence. Additionally, inorganic arsenic could also increase the odds of infertility and miscarriage [1]. Moreover, it could cause cancer such as lung cancer and liver cancer, and therefore the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies arsenic and its compounds as carcinogenic [2].

Obviously, the symptoms caused by arsenic could vary from individuals to individuals, races to races, areas to areas because the related risk factors could be extremely complicated. After all, physiology of human beings is quite complex as well. As a result, it would be somewhat hard to assess the toxicity and harmful effects on human health. Anyway, just in case, we need to be cautious about intake of arsenic in our daily life so that we can reduce our exposure to arsenic as much as possible. Moreover, the government and related agencies should monitor the usage and release of arsenic compounds. Furthermore, not only related researchers but also the public’s awareness of the danger of arsenic should be aroused so that we could learn to protect ourselves.

Sources:

[1] http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/as.htm

[2] http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs372/en/