Introduction

Ingestion

Arsenic Containing Foods

Arsenic from Water and Soil

Well water contaminated by natural sources such as bedrock containing arsenic has been reported to be the cause of arsenic toxicity throughout the world. Arsenic in drinking-water has attracted much attention since recognition in the 1990s of its wide occurrence in well-water in Bangladesh [WHO 2001].

Areas in the United States with the highest natural groundwater concentrations of arsenic are the Southwest, Northwest, Northeast, Alaska, and other areas near geothermal activity [ATSDR 2007].

The form of ingested arsenic from drinking water sources will vary according to its exposure to air. Deep wells contain predominantly arsenite (arsenic III) and surface water will contain predominantly arsenate (arsenic V) [Rossman 2007].

Figure 1: U.S. Geological Survey Map of Arsenic in Groundwater

(for larger view, click on image)

Groundwater may also contain elevated concentrations of arsenic from:

• agricultural runoff,
• contamination from runoff from wood preservatives containing arsenic,
• improperly disposed arsenical chemicals, or
• mining [Rossman 2007].

Instances of drinking water contamination by manmade sources has been documented at sites in the following countries:

• Brazil,
• Chile,
• India,
• Mexico
• Nicaragua, and
• Thailand [IARC 2004].

In certain areas of the West, Midwest, Southwest, and Northeastern United States, well water may contain levels greater than 50 micrograms per liter ( or 50 ppb) [Rossman 2007].

The EPA maximum contaminant level for arsenic in drinking water is 10 ppb [ATSDR 2007].

The U.S. Geological Survey has mapped arsenic distribution in soils in the United States. For the Conterminous United States, the geometric mean arsenic level in soil is 5.2 parts per million (ppm). Soil levels in the Eastern United States (east of the 96^th meridian) have a geometric mean of 4.8 ppm arsenic (range <0.1 to 73 ppm). The Western United States (west of the 96^th meridian) levels have a geometric mean of 5.5 ppm arsenic (range <0.10 to 97 ppm). [Shacklette and Boerngen 1984].

Elevated levels of arsenic in soil (due to either natural or man-made contamination) may be an ingestion risk, especially for children with pica and mouthing behaviors during play [Rossman 2007]. However, the bioavailability of arsenic in soil is variable, and dependent on the chemical form of arsenic.

Arsenic uptake in plants does not appear to reach levels dangerous to human health [Rossman 2007].

Inhalation exposure to coal fly ash may occur in some countries when coal that is contaminated with high levels of arsenic is burned [Rossman 2007].

Inhalation

• burning of fossil fuels that contain arsenic,
• cotton gins,
• glass manufacturing operations,
• pesticide manufacturing facilities,
• smelters, and
• tobacco smoke [Rossman 2007].

Airborne arsenic in the workplace is generally in the form of arsenic trioxide [Ishinishi et al. 1986]. Although measurements of arsenic concentrations in cases of occupational exposure have been rare, eight-hour averages of airborne arsenic in a U.S. copper smelter measured during 1943–1965 ranged between 6.9 and 20 milligrams/meter cubed [Welch et al. 1982]. High level occupational exposures are rare today because the current permissible exposure level is 0.01 milligrams/meter cubed.

Exposure leading to severe arsenic toxicity may occur through inhalation of burning material containing arsenic as a wood preservative [Aposhian 1989].

• Smaller particles are deposited more deeply in the respiratory tract.
• Particles deposited in the upper airways and swallowed after mucociliary clearance result in gastrointestinal tract absorption [Yip and Dart 2001].

Skin

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