Arsenic Is Everywhere Cause For Concern

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element and, as such, it is present in the environment and in our food and drink. It can even be involved in supporting life processes. However, due to its toxicity, there is concern about its presence in our diet. This book examines the real risks and impacts of arsenic in our lives. Looking at arsenic and its compounds, this book explores the presence of arsenic in food and water, the need to clarify its toxicity, and current scientific and public misconceptions about arsenic. It also looks at the use of arsenic in medicine, from cancer treatments to alternative therapies such as homeopathy. Following on from "Is Arsenic an Aphrodisiac?: The Sociochemistry of an Element", this book continues the authors work in addressing the issues surrounding arsenic. It is a fascinating read for general readers as it unveils the reality of our exposure to arsenic in our daily lives.

Exploring the presence of arsenic in our lives, from its occurrence in food to its use in medicine, this is a fascinating book for general readers.

This book reviews health hazards associated with wastewater use and water pollutants. Chapters present applications of green materials made of agricultural waste, activated carbon and magnetic materials for wastewater treatment. The removal of toxic metals using algal biomass and the removal of toxic dyes using chitosan composite materials are also discussed. The book includes reviews on the removal of phenols, pesticides, and on the use of ionic liquid-modified activated carbon for the treatment of textile wastewater.

The Society of Environmental Geochemistry and Health (SEGH) Second International Conference on Arsenic Exposure and Health Effects was held June 12-14, 1995 in San Diego, California. The conference was at tended by 152 people who heard 41 presentations on all aspects of arsenic research. The speakers represented 14 countries. Approximately 40 of the participants and speakers were from countries other than the US. The participants represented government, academia, industry and the interested public. The sponsorship ofthe conference is a good indicationofthe wide spread interest in the subject and the meeting. The sponsors, in addition to SEGH, were the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF), Kennecott Corporation, the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO), and the International Council on Metals in the Environment (ICME). The funding was split approximately equally between industry (including industrial organizations such as EPRI) and government. In addition to the many fine presentations, the meeting provided a forum for scientists from different countries to compare experiences and share information. It also provided a forum for the discussion of both scientific and policy issues between representatives of various governmental bodies (at the local, state, and federal level) and representatives of various indus trial organizations. These discussions occurred both in the formal meetings and informal settings during the meeting.

This book provides an overview to researchers, graduate, and undergraduate students, as well as academicians who are interested in arsenic. It covers human health risks and established cases of human ailments and sheds light on prospective control measures, both biological and physico-chemical. Arsenic (As) is a widely distributed element in the environment having no known useful physiological function in plants or animals. Historically, this metalloid has been known to be used widely as a poison. Effects of arsenic have come to light in the past few decades due to its increasing contamination in several parts of world, with the worst situation being in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. The worrying issue is the ingestion of arsenic through water and food and associated health risks due to its carcinogenic and neurotoxic nature. The impact of the problem is widespread, and it has led to extensive research on finding both the causes and solutions. These attempts have allowed us to understand the various probable causes of arsenic contamination in the environment, and at the same time, have provided a number of possible solutions. It is reported that more than 200 mineral species contain As. Generally, As binds with iron and sulfur to form arsenopyrite. According to one estimate from the World Health Organization (WHO), contextual levels of As in soil ranges from 1 to 40 mg kg-1. Arsenic toxicity is related to its oxidation state which is present in the medium. As is a protoplastic toxin, due to its consequence on sulphydryl group it interferes in cell enzymes, cell respiration and in mitosis. Exposure of As may occur to humans via several industries, such as refining or smelting of metal ores, microelectronics, wood preservation, battery manufacturing, and also to those who work in power plants that burn arsenic-rich coal.

This book illustrates the chemistry, toxicology, and health effects of arsenic using novel modeling techniques, case studies, experimental data, and future perspectives. • Covers exposure sources, health risks, and mechanisms of one of the most toxic minerals in the world • Helps readers understand potential health effects of arsenic, using population studies, mammalian and invertebrate models, and pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic models • Discusses outcomes, epidemiology, real-life examples, and modes of action for arsenic-induced diseases, like lung cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, and immunotoxicity • Acts as a reference for toxicologists, environmental chemists, and risk assessors and includes up-to-date, novel modeling techniques for scientists • Includes future perspectives on special topics, like extrapolation from experimental models to human exposures, biomarkers for phenotypic anchoring, and pathology of chronic exposure

This book provides valuable new insights into preventive measures for chronic arsenic poisoning, exploring the various causes, metabolism and toxicity, preventive drugs, functional foods and various methods for removing arsenic from contaminated water. The mechanisms of chronic arsenic poisoning vary between countries and regions, and the pathological difference, though reported on, is still only poorly understood. As large-scale chronic arsenic poisoning is concentrated in Asia, the contributions in this book were written by pioneers from Asia. Further, the management of removed arsenic has not yet become standardized, and this volume will serve as a vital source of new ideas by highlighting significant detoxification methods aimed at the disposal of arsenic. Arsenic Contamination in Asia represents a valuable sourcebook for scientists working in the fields of environmental health, occupational health, environmental science, fisheries science, agriculture, pharmacy, analytical chemistry, and clinical medicine. Also, beginning researchers, seasoned experts, and students who are seeking comprehensive information on the natural sciences including medicine will find this work thought-provoking, instructive and informative.

Arsenic is a very important contaminant of drinking water and other substances. It represents approximately half of the estimated carcinogenic potential in coal fly ash. This important new work is written by top international experts in the field who assess the impact of arsenic contamination on a wide variety of areas including distribution, regulation, safety, physiology and medicine.