Arsenic is found most commonly in pesticides and industrial materials, for example in materials used to treat lumber. It also occurs naturally in the environment and is found in water and rock. Ingestion can be intentional or accidental, acute or chronic. Pesticides are the most common source of arsenic poisoning.
Effect of Arsenic
Arsenic affects the metabolism of the cell in many ways, among them disruption of the normal energy pathway, which the cells need to survive. Most organ systems are affected, including the brain, the peripheral nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract, the liver and the kidneys.
Acute Arsenic Poisoning
As described in "Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology", the symptoms of acute arsenic intoxication via oral ingestion include headache, drowsiness, confusion and seizures. These are accompanied by severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which left untreated will lead to a collapse of the circulatory system and death. Arrhythmias are also common. Arsenic can also be inhaled in gas form. This leads to somewhat different symptoms: chills, hemolytic anemia, meaning the destruction of red blood cells, circulatory collapse and death.
Chronic Poisoning.
Chronic poisoning can cause headaches, confusion, weakness and destruction of blood cells. Arsenic affects the peripheral nerves and causes peripheral neuropathy. The main symptoms of the neuropathy are pain and a sensation of pins and needles in the extremities. In addition there are changes in the skin and white lines appear in the fingernails.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, as cited on the enters for Disease Control and Prevention website, arsenic is a known human carcinogen. Arsenic causes an increased risk of several cancers, among them skin and liver.
References
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: ToxFAQS
- "Adam's and Victors Principles of Neurology"; Victor and Ropper; 2001
