What are the hazards to my health as a result of exposure to arsenic?
Exposure to arsenic may occur through food, drinking water, soil and ambient air. Most arsenic that is absorbed into the body is converted by the liver into a less toxic form and excreted through urine. Consequently, arsenic does not tend to accumulate in the body except at high exposure levels. Health risk increases with exposure. Acute effects following ingestion of significant amounts of arsenic include gastrointestinal, dermatological and neuromuscular symptoms which may become more severe with prolonged exposure. Exposure to arsenic by inhalation and ingestion is associated with the development of respiratory cancer, skin cancer and of cancers of various internal organs.
