Is there any arsenic contamination near you?
Arsenic
Arsenic, chemical symbol As, is a very toxic naturally occurring element. It is used in transistors, lead-based alloys and high-temperature brasses. Arsenic trioxide, As2O3, has been used for insecticide and rat poison. Arsine is an extremely toxic gas consisting of arsenic and hydrogen. Small amounts of arsenic are present widely in nature, and released into the environment by volcanoes, weathering and industry such as metal smelting. In Bangladesh, for example, a lot of ground water is contaminated with arsenic, and a lot of people are exposed to it. Arsenic has also been common in pesticides, so contamination is widespread. Arsenic pollution also occurs due to mining. Inorganic arsenic solutions were also used in medicines until the 1940s and are still occasionally used. Most arsenic in fish and shellfish is in a nontoxic organic form.
Minor arsenic poisoning tends to make people feel generally unwell, but they can also lose hair and have white lines across the toenails and fingernails. Arsenic can cause skin, lung, bladder, liver and other cancers. Most people are exposed to arsenic through food. Inhaling arsenic fumes can also make people sick.
In the USA, as is done in many other countries, the EPA sets standards for the amount of arsenic permissible in drinking water.
Recent news stories involving arsenic include:
Sealants in Playgrounds May Block Arsenic
Annual application of oil- or water-based sealant or stain on arsenic-treated wood can reduce the risk to people from contact with arsenic from chromated copper arsenate pesticide.
Other Stories
House: Interim Storage Needed at Nuke Dump
In the U.S., the House Appropriations subcommittee on energy and water has directed the Energy Department to send nuclear waste to interim aboveground storage sites from 2006 because of delays to the Yucca Mountain dump in Nevada.
Plan to Drain Lake in N.D. Nears Completion
Devils Lake, N.D., has grown a great deal in recent wet years, drowning farmland and forcing evacuations. A 14-mile, $28 million outlet to transfer water to the Sheyenne River is near completion. From the Sheyenne River the water would end up in Canada eventually, and Canada has requested a delay and an independent review of the risk of pollution of Canadian waterways. The argument has become political and litigious.
Man Tries to Revive Honeybee Population
A Vermont apiarist took his 600 hives of bees down to South Carolina in December so that they could thrive in the southern spring before bringing them back this week. He is also breeding them to Russian stock. Both actions are designed to make them more able to withstand the deadly varroa mite, an invasive species from Asia, and the cold Vermont winters. The varroa mite is already resistant to two pesticides. Honeybees are essential for pollination of 40% of food plants.
Scientists to Probe Undersea Quake Site
Scientists from several disciplines are studying the site of the December 26 December tsunami in South Asia, with broadcasters in tow.
Mystery Illness Killing Racing Greyhounds
A mysterious influenza-like illness is sickening many racing greyhounds in the USA and some have died. Some racing has been cancelled and a new vaccine is being sought.
Chicago Zoo Probed After Three Monkeys Die
Three monkeys have died recently at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago where 3 elephants have also died recently. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are investigating.
Southern Co. Won't Cut Carbon Output Much
Giant American coal-burning utility Southern Co. does not plan to cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 6 percent over the next 15 years even if they are taxed highly.
Senate panel issues bill updating U.S energy policy
Parts of a draft Senate energy bill concerning coal, electricity, hydrogen and certain nuclear power issues were due to be released today. The House of Representatives passed its version last month. The senate bill will differ from the House in not including the opening up of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, not protecting oil companies from MTBE product liability lawsuits, and not boosting ethanol production.
Is there any arsenic contamination near you?
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