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Poison Links:
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Arsenic Poisoning
What is arsenic?
- Arsenic is an element widely distributed in the natural environment. It is found in two basic forms, organic and inorganic.
- Inorganic arsenic compounds are mainly used to preserve wood. Copper chromated arsenic (CCA) is used to make "pressure-treated" lumber. CCA is no longer used in the U.S. for residential uses; it is still used in industrial applications.
- Organic arsenic compounds are used as pesticides, primarily on cotton plants.
How can my family be exposed to arsenic?
- Arsenic may be found in low levels in water, food, air, and soil.
- Exposure to higher levels of arsenic may be possible through the following routes:
In water:
- Some areas of the U.S. have relatively high natural levels of inorganic arsenic in rock.
- Natural weathering processes can lead to higher levels of inorganic arsenic in some water supplies.
- Groundwater is far more likely than surface water to have higher levels of arsenic.
- The Western and Northeastern regions of the U.S. tend to have higher levels of arsenic in groundwater.
- Some hazardous waste sites may release higher levels of inorganic arsenic into various sources of surface water.
In food:
In air:
If you live near certain hazardous waste sites, you may be exposed to higher levels of inorganic arsenic from the air.
Some occupations involve arsenic-treated wood. Exposure to inorganic arsenic in the air can occur through inhaling the sawdust of treated wood. Also, when arsenic-treated wood is burned, arsenic-containing smoke may be inhaled.
In soil:
Some people living in agricultural areas where inorganic arsenic was formerly used may be exposed to higher levels of arsenic in the soil.
Children may also be exposed to higher levels of arsenic by eating contaminated dirt or from playing in contaminated dirt.
Outdoor playsets:
Outdoor playsets may have been treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a chemical wood preservative containing chromium, copper and arsenic. CCA is used in pressure treated wood to protect wood from rotting due to insects and microbial agents.
Normal hand-mouth and hand-object behavior may result in exposure to the arsenic leaching from CCA.
Manufacturers of CCA reached a voluntary agreement with the EPA to end the manufacture of CCA-treated wood for most consumer applications as of December 31, 2003.
Some stocks of wood treated with CCA before then were expected to be found on shelves until mid-2004.
More importantly, hundreds of thousands of play structures and decks were built before the ban, and are still in children’s yards.
How can arsenic affect my family’s health?
The toxic health effects of arsenic depend upon what chemical form it is in. The organic form is less toxic than the inorganic.
Breathing high levels of inorganic arsenic can give you a sore throat or irritated lungs.
Exposure to arsenic can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels, and a sensation of "pins and needles" in hands and feet.
Ingesting or breathing low levels of inorganic arsenic for a long time can cause a darkening of the skin and the appearance of small "corns" or "warts" on the palms, soles, and torso.
Long-term exposure to arsenic can increase the risk of skin, liver, kidney, bladder, and lung cancer.
Skin contact with inorganic arsenic may cause redness and swelling.
Organic arsenic compounds are less toxic than inorganic arsenic compounds. Exposure to high levels of some organic arsenic compounds may cause similar effects as inorganic arsenic.
How can I tell if my family is exposed to high levels of arsenic?
For current information on arsenic levels in local and regional drinking water supplies, contact:
• Your regional EPA office. You may obtain specific water quality information in your state at http://www.epa.gov/ow/states.html.
• You can also obtain local water information at EPA’s “Surf Your Watershed” database, http://www.epa.gov/surf.
- There are medical tests that can measure arsenic levels in urine, blood, fingernails, and hair.
- However, these tests are not routinely performed in a clinician’s office. The urine test is generally considered the most useful of these tests, but only indicates exposure within the previous few days.
What can I do to reduce my family’s exposure to arsenic?
If you suspect that your public water supply is contaminated with arsenic, check with the previously mentioned agencies for more information on arsenic contamination of state and local water supplies.
If you suspect arsenic contamination of your private well, consult your local health or environmental department for more information on how to have the well tested for arsenic.
If you use arsenic-treated wood for home projects, be sure to use protective equipment such as a dust mask and gloves. Do not burn arsenic-treated wood near the home.
If there is a playset manufactured before 2003, you can call the manufacturer to determine whether it contains CCA.
If there is CCA in the deck or play structure, it should be treated with a clear sealant every six months to one year to decrease the amount of arsenic leaching out of the wood.
Alternatively, parents can choose to have the set safely dismantled.
You should never burn or saw CCA-treated wood, as this will increase the amount of arsenic released.
If parents keep the playset, they should wash children’s hands with soap and water immediately after outdoor play, and especially before eating.
Children should not eat while playing on CCA-treated playground equipment.
Discourage your children from eating dirt, which may be contaminated with arsenic or other pollutants.
Encourage all family members to wash their hands before meals.
If any adult in the household works with arsenic, be sure they change from their work clothes and work shoes before entering the house.
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