What is the most common cause of arsenic poisoning?
Contaminated groundwater is the most common cause of arsenic poisoning. Arsenic is already present in the earth and can seep into groundwater. Also, groundwater can contain runoff from industrial plants. Drinking arsenic-laden water over a long period of time can lead to poisoning.
What are some symptoms of arsenic exposure?
The immediate symptoms of acute arsenic poisoning include vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. These are followed by numbness and tingling of the extremities, muscle cramping and death, in extreme cases.
Which drug is used in arsenic poisoning?
Drugs used to treat Arsenic Poisoning
| Drug name | Rating | Rx/OTC |
|---|---|---|
| View information about dimercaprol dimercaprol | Rate | Rx |
| Generic name: dimercaprol systemic Brand name: BAL In Oil Drug class: antidotes For consumers: interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph | ||
| View information about BAL In Oil BAL In Oil | Rate | Rx |
How do you neutralize arsenic poisoning?
Treatment of arsenic poisoning in acute toxic poisonings needs to begin quickly; treatment involves removal of arsenic by dialysis, chelating agents, replacement of red blood cells, and if ingested, bowel cleansing. Acute toxic inorganic arsenic poisoning has only a fair to poor outcome.
What foods are high in arsenic?
The highest levels of arsenic (in all forms) in foods can be found in seafood, rice, rice cereal (and other rice products), mushrooms, and poultry, although many other foods, including some fruit juices, can also contain arsenic.
Who has died from arsenic poisoning?
It has been suggested that Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821) suffered and died from arsenic poisoning during his imprisonment on the island of Saint Helena.
Is there a cure for arsenic?
There is no effective treatment for arsenic toxicity. There is increasing evidence that chelation therapy may benefit some people who were poisoned with arsenic. Chelation therapy involves putting a chemical called a chelating agent into the bloodstream.
Do bananas contain arsenic?
The arsenic content ranged from 0.001 mg/kg in cabbages to 0.104 mg/kg also in bananas.
What are the side effects of arsenic poisoning?
Inorganic arsenic may cause abdominal pains, destruction of red blood cells ( hemolysis ), shock, and death quickly. Lower concentrations of inorganic arsenic and organic arsenic cause far less severe symptoms.
Can you get arsenic poisoning from drinking water?
Arsenic is already present in the earth and can seep into groundwater. Also, groundwater can contain runoff from industrial plants. Drinking arsenic-laden water over a long period of time can lead to poisoning. Other possible causes of arsenic poisoning can include:
How are people exposed to arsenic in the environment?
People are exposed to elevated levels of inorganic arsenic through drinking contaminated water, using contaminated water in food preparation and irrigation of food crops, industrial processes, eating contaminated food and smoking tobacco. Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic, mainly through drinking-water and food,
What’s the best way to prevent arsenic poisoning?
Ground water continues to be the most common source of arsenic poisoning. One of the most effective preventive measures against arsenic poisoning is to make sure you drink clean, filtered water. You can also make sure that all foods are prepared in clean water.