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HEALTH EFFECTS AND RISK ASSESSMENT OF ARSENIC
Citation:
Abernathy, C. O., D J. Thomas, AND R L. Calderon. HEALTH EFFECTS AND RISK ASSESSMENT OF ARSENIC. 11th Trace Element in Man and Animals, Berkeley, CA, June 2-6, 2002.
Description:
Abstract - In this review, we will focus on the effects of arsenic (As) exposure from drinking water sources. The primary inorganic As species in water are arsenate (V) and/or arsenite (III); their proportions depend on the water's redox potential and pH. Many As contamination sources are natural. Concentrations of As in the earth's crust vary, but usually range from 1.5 to 5 mg/kg in igneous and sedimentary rocks. It is also present in metal ores and in minerals and geothermal wells can also be a source of As in surface and ground waters. Anthropogenic sources include pesticides, wood preservatives, industrial, mining and smelting wastes. Arsenic levels in water depend on factors such as the level of human activity, distance from pollution sources, and the dispersion and fate of the released As. Excluding As exposure from polluted sources, people are exposed to As in their water, food and air. In the US, air exposure is usually minimal. For most people, the major exposure source is their diet; total food intake of As is around 50 g/day of which about 10 g/day is inorganic). However, the organic As in food is much less toxic than the inorganic As forms. Generally less than 4 g/day comes from drinking water.