Arsenic: How are you exposed?

From our previous post you got to know about the term arsenic? Today we further explore this concept and talk about the exposure of arsenic in food, water work and community.

Food

You are mostly exposed to arsenic by food. Now, this type of exposure is a lot less dangerous as it is an organic form and can be found in seafood, rice, mushrooms, and poultry. Rice should be your biggest concern as it contains the most arsenic and is probably the most widely eaten food around the world. How much rice are you eating each day?

 Arsenic in Water

In parts of Taiwan, Japan, Bangladesh, and western South America, high levels of arsenic occur naturally in drinking water. Even some areas in the United States in the west contain arsenic.

Arsenic levels are higher in drinking water that comes from ground sources such as wells. The United States and the EPA have regulated arsenic in drinking water since 2006 with the maximum level allowed in drinking water being 10 μg/L (micrograms per liter), or 10 ppb (parts per billion).

Work

Before arsenic was regulated in 1985, working in plants that manufactured, packaged, and distributed certain products exposed workers in the states. Arsenic was also a common ingredient in pesticides and herbicides in the past. People who made, transported, applied or worked around these products would have been exposed to high levels of arsenic.

Today workplace exposure can still happen if working near copper, lead smelting, or wood treating. However, there are some regulations in place to help limit this exposure. Make sure you talk to your workplace about arsenic exposure!

Community

If you live near current agricultural or industrial courses, beware you may be exposed to arsenic through contaminated air, soil, and water. Communities near smelters or near farm fields where pesticides are used can also have contaminated soil. Burning fossil fuels and tobacco can also release arsenic into the air. So think twice before you light that smoke next to me.

We hope this post helped you in getting to know about Arsenic in Water, Food, Work and Community. Stay tuned for more informational posts.