A massive epidemic emerges as the water on which millions of people rely on is exposed to high levels of arsenic, a silent killer. Depending on whether carbon is involved, the arsenic ion combines with other elements to form either an organic compound or an inorganic compound, which is typically found in the contaminated waters (“ARSENIC...WebMD”). When comparing the two forms, the inorganic compound is more toxic than the organic compound (“Arsenic”). According to the regulations of the US Environmental Protection agency, if water exceeds 10 micrograms of arsenic per liter then it should not be consumed. A prolonged consumption of water containing high levels of inorganic arsenic is linked to various health issues such as skin damage, problems with the circulatory system, several types …show more content…
Arsenic occurs naturally in the ground through the oxidation of arsenic minerals and gets into water supplies through wind-blown dust, runoff, leaching, or being released from sediment into the groundwater. (“Arsenic: MedlinePlus” and “Arsenic”). In addition to natural activities, industrial activities surrounding the site can also be linked to high concentrations of arsenic in water (“Environmental Health Criteria 224: Arsenic And Arsenic Compounds”). Based on the teachings of Megan Cook one can deduce that arsenic pollution is both point and nonpoint, meaning that it is difficult to isolate the source. Furthermore, arsenic is an odorless and tasteless element, making it nearly impossible to determine whether or not it is present in water, using only the human senses (“What Is the Difference between Organic and Inorganic Arsenic?”). This means that anyone can unknowingly be consuming high levels of arsenic and making it that much more dangerous. A frightening aspect about arsenicosis, the disease that results from excessive arsenic consumption, is
Environmental factors can contribute to an individual’s health or disease state. A classic example is portrayed in the movie “Erin Brockovich”, which relates the story of the residents of Hinkley, a rural town in Southern California. Many inhabitants of Hinkley were becoming ill with non-specific diseases and cancers. The culprit was hexavalent chromium, which had contaminated the groundwater. More recently, water contaminated with lead has been discovered in Flint, Michigan. Lead toxicity can lead to gastrointestinal, neuromuscular and neurological symptoms.
This situation showcases the major dependency on the unique physical and chemical properties of water by displaying the results of water contamination. The switch from Detroit to Flint water system proved to be a fatal decision as the chemical and physical properties of the water were altered by both the iron and lead metals. The addition of high levels of chloride left the water exposed to contamination of lead and iron. The corrosion of the pipes occurred when the chlorine disinfectant reacted with the elemental metals of iron and lead. The chemical property of water was altered with these high levels of lead, chloride, and iron. This contamination also left the water with different physical properties such as a reddish-brown colour and a pungent odour as opposed to a colourless and odourless liquid. The manipulated physical and chemical properties of water led to irritability, developmental delay, learning difficulties, hearing loss, and many more. Thus, this situation showcases how living things depend for their survival on the unique physical and chemical properties of water as with these alterations it can lead to lethal consequences.
While nitrates are one of the major contaminants in the area, San Joaquin Valley residents face drinking water pollution from many other sources including arsenic, coliform bacteria, and pesticides. Arsenic is a naturally occurring semi-metal element that is found in different types of rocks. While arsenic primarily occurs naturally, human activities impact the amount of arsenic in groundwater. Arsenic is not only toxic at high concentrations, but also harmful after prolonged exposure at moderately elevated levels. California recognizes arsenic as a human carcinogen and believes prolonged exposure to the element to be associated with various cancers, including skin, bladder, kidney, lung, and liver cancers. A study in Maine found a connection between water contaminated
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,
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
In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) brought together experts in toxicology, water chemistry, water quality and health, water treatment and pharmacology to form a “Drinking–water” directive and policy. The quality Committee along with additional experts examined pharmaceuticals in drinking water, and the human health risk associated with pharmaceuticals in drinking water.
Toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury in our environment have links to the causes of cancer, birth defects and mental illness. How can Americans be certain that the water in their household is safe to drink and toxic free? For the people in Flint, Michigan, it is too late for many have been already affected by such toxicity in their water supply. Toxic chemicals in our environment must be better controlled and America’s infrastructure must be properly repaired. This is an urgent need and the elected leaders must be held accountable for any neglect of this most important issue.
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.
Although municipal water can contain a vast array of contaminants, several continued to repeatedly show up in water of the cities studied. Among the most frequently found contaminants were Arsenic, mentioned earlier, and other toxic chemicals such as radon, the rocket fuel perchlorate and other carcinogens, which may cause skin problems, birth defects, reproductive problems and even cancer. High Volumes of Lead were found, which enters the drinking water supplies from the corrosion of old pipes and
Groundwater contamination has many far reaching environmental, political, societal and economic effects. Groundwater contamination, while obviously potentially detrimental to human wellbeing, can have a large impact on localities in any region of the world. When toxic agents are introduced into a groundwater system it puts all local wildlife in immediate danger. This includes the health of both flora and fauna near or in the flow from the source of contamination. Human health can also be impacted by this type of contamination. Toxic agents, in my example specifically tetrachloroethene (PCE), have many harmful effects on human health including affecting the central nervous system, causing cancers and causing pulmonary edema (Tetrachloroethylene Toxicity, 2017).
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
Arsenic (As) is a metalloid in group 15, period 4 of the periodic table. It is associated with the atomic number 33 and maintains an atomic weight of 74.92 (Gagnon). As a solid at room temperature, it is most likely to be found as a shiny grey element; however, it may also appear as yellow or black. It is also known to be quite brittle in its solid state (PubChem). There are three different categories that arsenic compounds may be identified as: Inorganic Arsenic compounds (i.e., arsenic trioxide (As2O3), and lead arsenate (PbHAsO4) are some of the more common ones), Organic Arsenic compounds (i.e., Arsanilic Acid (C6H8AsNO3), and Methylarsonic Acid (CH5AsO3) are the more common ones), and Arsine gas (AsH3) (NCBI). All of the aforementioned states, categories, and compounds have various toxicities- the most toxic and severe symptoms tend to result for the entrance of inorganic arsenic and arsine gas into the body.
In different areas of the world it is found that the presence of arsenic, lead, and cadmium is hazardous to the health of the general population. In Burkina Faso high concentrations of arsenic dominated the groundwaters (BGS). A similar case occurred within California with the existence of lead and cadmium. Similar to Arsenic in the groundworks of Burkina Faso, there was a significantly large amount of lead found in the water system in California affecting the nervous system, kidneys of children (Rios, Michael). Cadmium has also been found in California, because the metal is known to cause cancer and developmental harm there are several laws preventing certain amount of cadmium in drinking water (Monserrat, Laurie).
Arsenic, element number thirty-three on the periodic table, is well known as a poison. There are two forms of arsenic, organic and inorganic, which is considered more toxic than its organic form itself. This element is a natural metal found along the earth’s crust. It is found in rock, soil, water, and air. Arsenic can enter the body through two ways: ingestion and inhalation. When arsenic is ingested it goes through the gastrointestinal tract where 95% of the arsenic dose is absorbed. When arsenic does come out of the body it is able to come out through some ways such as: feces, sweat, and urine. (Unknown, 2015)
Poisoning from arsenic is not a threat that belongs to the past and it should not be taken lighthearted. The long term effects- like cancer-require a few decades to manifest and many times the measures and regulations do not eliminate the catastrophic outcomes. More than 137 million people in 70 countries are affected by the arsenic content in the drinking water capacities. The outbreak in Bangladesh is the robust example which is needed to alert ourselves. Since the 1970s millions of Bangladeshis have suffered from the acute and the chronic effects of the consumption of arsenic-contaminated water. The crisis is still far from resolution. The lack of coordination of the different responsible agencies as well as the disadvantages of being one of the poorest nations, contribute to this phenomenon. Other regions in the world suffering from contaminated water with arsenic are Argentina, Nepal and regions of the United States of America.