";s:4:"text";s:16648:"[24] The most dramatic symptom of argyria is that the skin turns blue or bluish-grey. Arsenic levels in U.S. drinking water are lower than those found in the Southern Hemisphere of the world but are still high enough to raise health concerns. This ore, known since the Greeks of Aristotle’s time, is an important commercial source of arsenic. At acute exposures, such as in accidental or intentional poisonings, arsenic can displace elements involved in the fundamental chemical processes of cells. One such site – the focus of the film A Civil Action – is the watershed of the Aberjona River near Boston, Mass., where wastes from tanneries and other factories were discharged for more than a century. [25], Thallium and its compounds are often highly toxic. Underground water flowing over arsenic-rich rock may become contaminated with high concentrations of a toxic form of arsenic, which can make its way into private wells and public water supplies. The toxicity of any metal depends on its ligands. This is particularly notable with radioactive heavy metals such as radium, which imitates calcium to the point of being incorporated into human bone, although similar health implications are found in lead or mercury poisoning. Complexation prevents the metal ions from reacting with molecules in the body, and enable them to be dissolved in blood and eliminated in urine. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors public drinking water supplies under the Clean Water Act. If arsenic levels are found to be high, homeowners can decide whether to install a system to remove arsenic or to switch to an alternative drinking water source. For a list of certified labs, phone your state environmental services department, or the equivalent state agency. The effects of arsenic poisoning differ depending upon whether the exposure is acute – a large dose in a short period of time – or chronic – lower doses over an extended period of time. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, creosote exposure is associated with skin and scrotum cancer in humans, and liver, kidney, and gestational problems in laboratory animals. On the other hand, fish and other animals contain a highly methylated form of arsenic called arsenobetaine or “fish arsenic” which is essentially non-toxic and is readily eliminated by our bodies. Most investigators believe that it is likely that we receive all the arsenic we need from a normal diet, and there is currently no recommendation for a daily dietary intake for humans. Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and tissues including the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems. One popular pigment, called Scheele’s green after the Swedish chemist who invented it, was a bright green hue made from copper arsenite. Putting a small amount of arsenic back into the animals’ diets completely reversed these effects. Surprisingly, it has been difficult to demonstrate that arsenic can increase the incidence of cancer in animals despite the strong human epidemiological data. Studies in animal species provide strong evidence that arsenic is an essential trace element – at least for birds and mammals. Arsenic, in the form of arsenate, can also resemble phosphate, which is used by cells for energy and signaling. In some cases, well water contained arsenic at levels considerably higher than the current standard of 50 parts per billion. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin. (Arsenic could be collected, in pure form, from the interior of smelter smokestacks.) Its zero oxidation state Hg0 exists as vapor or as liquid metal, its mercurous state Hg22+ exists as inorganic salts, and its mercuric state Hg2+ may form either inorganic salts or organomercury compounds; the three groups vary in effects. Not all heavy metals are particularly toxic, and some are essential, such as iron. The positive, negative or neutral charge on an atom, called its “ionic state,” is governed by how many electrons it has circling around it balancing the positive charges of its protons. Arsenic (+3) is arsenic with three fewer electrons than protons, giving it a plus three positive charge; arsenic (+5) is arsenic with five fewer electrons than protons, giving it a plus five positive charge. These are known to … [citation needed], Argyria or argyrosis is a condition caused by inappropriate exposure to chemical compounds of the element silver, or to silver dust. Metals in an oxidation state abnormal to the body may also become toxic: chromium(III) is an essential trace element, but chromium(VI) is a carcinogen. At a somewhat lower dose the primary symptoms are nausea, headache, intense gastrointestinal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Cases of poisoning from tin metal, its oxides, and its salts are "almost unknown"; on the other hand certain organotin compounds are almost as toxic as cyanide. The past use of arsenic-containing pesticides or other agricultural chemicals as well as air emissions and wastes from ammunition, glass and chemical manufacturers have also dispersed arsenic into the environment. Due to its low permissible exposure limit, overexposures may occur even in situations where trace quantities of cadmium are found. Insoluble compounds as well as the metallic forms often exhibit negligible toxicity. The type and degree of symptoms exhibited depend upon the individual toxin, the dose, and the method and duration of exposure. Arsenic has been the poison of choice since antiquity because it is difficult to detect in food and water and because the symptoms of poisoning by arsenic can be mistakenly attributed to many other ailments. The most common and stable forms of arsenic in nature are arsenite, also called or arsenic (+3), and arsenate, or arsenic (+5). Toxic waste sites including areas designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as Superfund sites often contain high amounts of arsenic in combination with other toxic wastes. Scientists once believed that this process – known as methylation – was a natural arsenic detoxification process for both humans and other animals. [8][9] Death results from profound shock, myocarditis and multi-organ failure. Symptoms include abdominal cramping, constipation, tremors, mood changes, infertility, anemia, and toxic psychosis. Sulfur, it has been reported to be an effective anti-cancer agent for other in! 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