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Thesis Statement About Arsenics

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Thesis statement: Water, food, and air that contains arsenic causes human health problems. Background and history of Arsenic? The elemental Arsenic was discovered by Albert Magnus in 1250 A.D. The word “Arsenic” comes from a Greek word “Arsenikon,” means “yellow orpiment.” Arsenic has an atomic number of 33 with a melting point of 1141 degrees Fahrenheit or 889 Kelvin. The density is 5.75 g cm-3 and the atomic mass is 74.922 g/mol. Arsenic was already known for a long time during the Egyptian, Greeks, and Chinese civilizations. But identifying this chemical as an element such as the atomic number and the atomic mass, were discovered by Albert Magnus. The appearance of arsenic is semi-metal and has a silver-grayish color. Arsenic were used …show more content…

“Long-term exposure to low doses of arsenic may change the way cells communicate, and reduce their ability to function, according to researchers at Dartmouth University. It could play a role in the development of diabetes, cancer, vascular disease and lung disease. The Food and Drug Administration says that long-term exposure to high levels of arsenic is associated with higher rates of skin cancer, bladder cancer and lung cancer, as well as heart disease.” (https://www.livescience.com/23304-arsenic-rice-fda-health-effects.html). Arsenic goes into the human body through inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption. If the arsenic inhaled, it goes into the lung and then goes into the bloodstream. Then liver, will filter the blood and the arsenic will be removed. Once, the arsenic is removed, it will excreted by urine. If the arsenic was ingested it will go to the gastrointestinal tract and be removed through human feces. There were two types of Arsenic, the organic and inorganic. The organic is less harmful than inorganic. “In acute arsenic toxicity organ damage could occur and may lead to death. On the other hand, disfiguration of extremities due to chronic arsenic exposure may lead to the development of malignant tumors” (ww-sciencedirect-com.lib-proxy.fullerton.edu). Furthermore, long-term exposure of inorganic arsenic can lead to skin becoming dark and appearing of the warts mostly on foot, hands, and upper body. Inhaling large amount of arsenic, especially inorganic, creates lung irritation, sore throat, and inflammation of esophagus. Arsenic can also damage the heart such as coronary heart disease, diffuse capillary leakage, and cardiac

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