Arsenic Case

Due to its physical characteristics (no odor, no color, and no flavor), arsenic exposure is often unnoticed, especially when ingested through drinking water. Therefore, the key to prevention of Dermatofibroma is understand the risk factors whether environment such as chronic arsenic exposure due to the ingestion of naturally-contaminated water, groundwater contamination due to leaching of arsenic from rocks and soil frequently results in concentrations above 50 mcg/L, which are associated with carcinogenesis in humans. Occupational exposure via inhalation of arsenic-containing vapors occurs during smelting, mining, refining, electroplating, and manufacturing of decorative-glass, pesticides, gallium arsenide computer microchips, and pressure-treated wood. Documented regions with natural groundwater arsenic contamination include Millard County, Utah; Lane County, Oregon; Lassen County, California; Fallon, Nevada; Fairbanks, Alaska; and New Hampshire, also persons living in the southwestern United States are at higher risk for being exposed to elevated levels of arsenic in drinking water. (Sarina B Elmariah MD PhD, Robert Anolik MD, Ruth F Walters MD, Karla Rosenman MD, Miriam K Pomeranz MD, Miguel R Sanchez MD, Dermatology Online Journal 14 (10): DOI: 10.1111/jdv.13092 24 19 July 2015, Invasive squamous-cell carcinoma and arsenical keratosis.). There currently is no concrete clinical-pathological evidence

The impending crisis in India would be a good opportunity to study the effects of the poison and perhaps show the rest of the world the importance of awareness and spark them into action. Arsenic is a destructive element that must be contained and controlled. Up until now, few individuals know much about the impacts of arsenic. This is shocking since it is a element that will undoubtedly influence the lives of many individuals on this planet in the following couple of

Previous research has pointed out that the mechanism by which arsenic exerts its toxic effect is through impairment of cellular respiration by the inhibition of various mitochondrial enzymes, and the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. Most toxicity of arsenic results from its ability to interact with sulphydryl groups of proteins and enzymes, and to substitute phosphorous in a variety of biochemical reactions

There is a higher likelihood of being exposed to arsenic via food ingestion compared to inhaling arsenic-contaminated air or drinking arsenic-contaminated water. Once the arsenic has been absorbed through the lungs or gastrointestinal tract, the arsenic is distributed through the body via the bloodstream. For metabolism, in the blood stream, the arsenic becomes attached to the red cells, white cells, and cells that can convert arsenate to arsenite. Some of those arsenites are taken to the liver, where they are methylated by the enzymatic transfer of the methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and the arsenite are converted into methyl arsonate (MMA V) and dimethyl arsenate (DMA V). Those metabolites, methyl arsonate and dimethyl arsenate, are then ready to be excreted. If the liver is at its limit of methylation, excess arsenites are stored in the body’s soft tissues. Arsenic and its many variations (ie. MMA V, DMA V, arsenate, and arsenite) are excreted through the kidneys. There is a possibility that two to four weeks after being exposed to arsenic, some of the arsenic can still be found in the human’s hair, nails, skin, and bones and teeth (ATSDR,

Trivalent (arsenite) and pentavalent (arsenate) arsenic produce different effects on cells, yet there is little distinction between the two forms of arsenic when discussing signs and symptoms of poisoning. An important fact to note is that during the metabolism of arsenate, 50-70% of it will be reduced to arsenite in the first step of the process. Therefore, the differences in the cell effects are seen from the 30-50% of the pentavalent arsenic unchanged via the bioactivation step of oxidizing glutathione or enzymatically catalyzed by arsenate reductase.1,2

This chemical tends to occur naturally in soil, so sometimes it can make its way into your well. If you drink too much water contaminated with arsenic, you will be susceptible to an array of harsh side effects such as vomiting and a burning feeling. If your water supply is never checked and you drink arsenic-laced water regularly over time, your risk factor for developing several kinds of cancer will increase substantially.

Aquifers are suffering from declining water levels, saltwater intrusion, and inadequately replenished fresh groundwater. In some areas, demand for potable water exceeds available resources. Fresh water supplies are being compromised by the ever-increasing demands of energy production, agriculture, and industry. In turn, these essential activities are threatened by decreasing water supplies. Globalization is eroding the U.S. lead in supplying water technologies and international competitors are making significant inroads into the U.S. marketplace. The traditionally low cost of water (and low profitability for the private sector) coupled with the perceived risks of investing in new and unproven technologies are preventing the commercialization of world-leading research and innovative technologies. Threats to America's Water Supply The water supply of the United States, as well as the entire world, is currently facing a number of different threats. They in turn threaten the health and economic well-being of the citizens. These threats to the water supply include: increased demand by energy production, agricultural run-offs, leaching of radioactive materials and heavy metal, depletion of aquifers, contamination of

7. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 established the basic framework for protecting the drinking water of the United States. Most ground water used for drinking water occurs near the earth’s surface and is easily contaminated .The major concern is the potential contamination of underground sources of the drinking water by any of the hundreds or thousands of subsurface wastewater disposal .Waste disposal wells dispose of approximately more than 11% of the nation’s toxic fluid waste. The injection wells can be good or bad and cause a major problem. Some of the wells are used many different ways like for a aquifer recharge and the production of oil, gas, or minerals. Also for improper usage as disposal of toxic and hazardous waste. The EPA

You may well know that aluminium, along with a number of other contaminants, can be found in your drinking water but did you know why it’s in your drinking water? More importantly, do you know if it’s even safe? Aluminium is already present in our soil and as a result will be found in untreated sources of drinking water such as wells. On top of this, aluminium compounds are also used to help remove any impurities at water treatment works. Aluminium happens to be very useful in the battle against cloudiness and bacterial content before the water enters the final stages of disinfection and treatment however, as a result of its use a residual amount remains in the water supply. The legal standard for

The “establishment” or “religion” clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” (Education Week, 2003, para. 2). It is from this clause that the idea of separation of church and state comes. It is also the basis for much of the debate regarding the practice of religion in public schools (Education Week, 2003). One of the big questions regarding the religion issue is where to draw the line between separation of church and state and religious freedom. The practice of religion in public schools can balance these two ends by allowing students to individually

There is an estimated societal costs in the billions, lead poisoning has a inordinate impact on low income children. When it comes down to irreversible, life-altering, and contrasting effects of lead exposure, the ability to prevent the contamination is necessary to eliminate exposure. Lead was later removed from gasoline and paint in 1978 to reduce the incident of childhood lead poisoning which has decreased the likelihood of other means of lead poisoning significantly. However, lead contamination of drinking water may be increasing because of lead-contained water infrastructures, a change in water sources, and a change in water treatment. Lead being a soluble metal, seeps into drinking water through lead particles or lead plumbing that erode from aging (Hanna-Attisha, LaChance, Casey Sadler, & Champney Schnepp

Additionally, it has been proven that when ingested; arsenic can lead to invasive squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen illness, basal cell skin carcinoma, and liver, kidney, lung, and bladder

Lastly, in 2011, the water authority in Brick Township, N.J. tested tap water in a small sample of homes for lead.It discovered two homes in which the level exceeded the limit of 15 parts per billion. Three years later, it found that 16 of 34 homes exceeded the limit. The growing use of road salt in recent winters raised chloride levels in the river from which Brick drew its water. The chloride corroded aged lead pipes running to older homes, seeping lead into tap water. The town has since added an anti-corrosion agent to its water however, this doesn’t protect the drinking water from being tainted by unknown substances that scientists and officials haven’t studied or regulated. Situations like the one in Brick have been becoming more common

The arsenic contaminated water should not be used for drinking. Hospitalization with good nutritional diet reduces the primary symptoms. A high protein diet in food helps in clearance of inorganic arsenic by the process of methylation. Supplemental potassium decreases the risk of experiencing a life threatening heart rhythm problem from arsenic trioxide. The patients should be treated clinically based upon the symptoms. Bronchial irritation must be stopped to prevent arsenic induced bronchitis. Hence the smokers must be motivated to quit smoking (Guha et al, 1998; Saha,

negotiations on what opportunities are available for various programs initiated by concerned departments to provide capital or funds to address the crisis. The department of Environmental Quality should embrace the alliance with existing federal agencies, both state and county.