Is arsenate or arsenite more toxic?

Arsenic is found in both an organic form and an inorganic form with valence numbers ranging from +3 to +5. As+3, or arsenite, is more toxic than arsenate, or As+5. It is found as different ores and rocks, which are mined, then smelted resulting in elemental arsenic and arsenic trioxide.

Is arsenic highly toxic?

Arsenic is highly toxic in its inorganic form. Contaminated water used for drinking, food preparation and irrigation of food crops poses the greatest threat to public health from arsenic. Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking-water and food can cause cancer and skin lesions.

What are normal levels of arsenic?

Normal: ≤50 micrograms per liter (mcg/L) High normal: >50 to <200 mcg/L. High: ≥200 mcg/L.

What is a safe level of arsenic in food?

10 parts per billion
No federal limit exists for arsenic in most foods, but the standard for drinking water is 10 parts per billion (ppb). Keep in mind: That level is twice the 5 ppb that the EPA originally proposed and that New Jersey actually established.

Is arsenic deadly to humans?

Arsenic is a type of carcinogen that’s gray, silver, or white in color. Arsenic is extremely poisonous to humans. What makes arsenic especially dangerous is that it doesn’t have a taste or odor, so you can be exposed to it without knowing it.

How much arsenic is bad?

Long term exposure to drinking water containing arsenic at levels higher than 10 ppb increases the chances of getting cancer; for lower levels the chances are less. If your water has arsenic levels above 10 ppb, you should get drinking water from another source or install a home treatment device.

What causes arsenic in the blood?

Arsenic poisoning is caused following the accidental ingestion of a compound containing the toxin. This is a heavy metal mineral that is found in products such as parasitic drugs, herbicides , insecticides, and preservatives.

What is the treatment for arsenic exposure?

Treatment of acute arsenic toxicity is supportive. Chelation therapy may be necessary in symptomatic patients; however, the use of chelators in patients exposed to arsine gas is controversial.