Arsenic has been utilized by human beings for centuries, for a variety of different purposes. In the 1920s, inks, dyes, and printed wallpapers all included the substance. Further back into the 1800s, bakers used “arsenic green” as a popular food coloring in pastries before legislation was...Read more
Arsenic is a chemical element, represented by the symbol “As”, that can either be found in minerals, either in combination with other metals, or in its pure elemental crystal state. Labeled as a metalloid element, it has the potential to create a number of poisonous compounds. It is...Read more
While arsenic exposure can be deadly for any individual, it is particularly harmful for women that are pregnant. Thus, pregnant women and children are a high risk population for arsenic exposure. Individuals who drink water from private wells are also at risk of exposure to high levels of...Read more
In the United Kingdom’s Victorian Era (1837-1901), arsenic was utilized for a number of different purposes. In bakeries, arsenic was utilized as a bulking agent in flour and sugar. Several cosmetic products were also famous for using arsenic, as it was believed to create a “pure white”...Read more
Being exposed to low levels of arsenic over longer periods of time can lead to skin changes, harm to the liver, kidney damage, and a shortage of red or white blood cells, which can result in fatigue, and an increased risk of infections. Exposure to high levels of arsenic can be fatal....Read more
Arsenic compounds can cause short term or long term effects to ecologies and their various organisms. For aquatic species exposed to concentrations ranging from a few micrograms to milligrams per liter, the impact of arsenic will depend on the species type and time of exposure....Read more
Fact sheet about arsenic, published by the Agency For Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR), which answers the most frequently asked questions about arsenic, and its health effects.Read more