Skip Navigation

Tox Town - Environmental health concerns and toxic chemicals where you live, work, and play
Arsenicen español
Arsenic may be found in drinking water, treated wood, and industrial sites.

What is arsenic?

Arsenic is a silver-gray or white-metallic element that occurs naturally in the earth's crust. It is odorless and nearly tasteless. The chemical symbol for arsenic is As

Pure arsenic is a metal and is rare in the environment; arsenic is usually found combined with one or more other elements, such as oxygen or chlorine. Arsenic is also produced as a by-product from the operation of copper, cobalt, and lead smelters. 

Arsenic compounds are used primarily in wood preservatives; in pesticides, primarily on cotton plants; as alloying, or tempering, agents for heavy metals; in the manufacture of certain kinds of glass; and in solders and medicines.

How might I be exposed to arsenic?

You can be exposed to arsenic by breathing contaminated air at work, by breathing sawdust or smoke from burning wood treated with arsenic, or eating food, drinking water, or breathing air that contains arsenic. 

Exposure can also come from living in areas near copper or lead smelters, industrialized areas where large quantities of arsenic are disposed of in landfills or hazardous waste sites, or areas with unusually high natural levels of arsenic in rock.

How can arsenic affect my health?

Arsenic is a known poison; consuming or breathing in large quantities of arsenic can cause death. It is also a human carcinogen that has been shown to cause skin, lung, bladder, liver, kidney, and prostate cancer. 

Exposure to arsenic may increase the risk of damage to a developing fetus. Exposure to lower levels of arsenic can cause nausea, vomiting, abnormal heart rhythm, decreased production of red and white blood cells, impaired nerve function, damage to blood vessels, skin warts and corns, and red or swelling skin. 

Repeated exposure to arsenic can damage the liver and kidneys, cause stomach problems, and cause a darkening of the skin. Breathing high levels of arsenic can cause a sore throat or irritated lungs. 

If you think you have been exposed to arsenic, contact your health care professional. 

For poisoning emergencies or questions about possible poisons, please contact your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.


Web Links from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine)
Arsenic

More Links
Arsenic and Compounds. Haz-Map (National Library of Medicine)
Arsenic and Human Health (National Library of Medicine)
Arsenic Compounds. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (National Library of Medicine)
Arsenic in Drinking Water (Environmental Protection Agency)
Arsenic. ToxFAQs (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry)
Chromated Copper Arsenate (Environmental Protection Agency)

Locations where Arsenic may be found
City
City
Farm
Farm
Town
Town
U.S.-Mexico Border
U.S.-Mexico Border
Port
Port
Brownfield
Construction
Drinking Water
Factory
Homes
Hospital
Offices and Stores
Park
River
School
Drinking Water
Homes
Landfill
Drinking Water
Factory
Homes
Offices and Stores
Park
River
School
Auto Shop
Drinking Water
Homes
Illegal Dumps and Tire Piles
Maquiladora
Park
River
Tienda
Trash Burning
Coastal Brownfield
Drinking Water
Homes
Marina and Boats
Offices and Stores
River
Shipyard
Urban and Industrial Runoff

Last Updated: November 06, 2008

Interactive Graphic Neighborhoods City Farm Town US - Mexico Border Port