Arsenic Contamination, Exposure Routes and Public Health

Abstract

Natural processes such as volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and dissolution of arsenic rich minerals underground contribute to arsenic contamination in the environment. Human activities like mining, application of herbicides and pesticides, wood preservation and irrigation greatly increase levels of arsenic in the soil. Arsenic contaminated soils play a central role in As contamination in the environment. Arsenic contaminated soils may pollute the groundwater below through leaching while dust from contaminated soils may also pollute the air. Irrigation with arsenic contaminated water and atmospheric deposition can also increase As concentration in the soil. People are exposed to arsenic via diet (food chain contamination), drinking of arsenic contaminated groundwater, dermal contact, dust ingestion, and inhalation of arsenic rich dust. Children are particularly exposed to arsenic in indoor dust while playing on the floor and outdoors on playgrounds built with the wood preservative; chromate copper arsenate (CCA). Exposure to As has been associated with health problems such as cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, hearing problems, reproductive health problems in pregnant women and it affects the unborn. The health effects of As indicate the importance of combating arsenic contamination in order to protect public health.