Quote:
>Date: Mon, 18 Apr 1994 08:12:09 EDT
>Subject: Arsenic Poisoning
>Someone I know has arsenic poisoning. However, they have no idea what is
>causing it. It's apparently a low-level continual thing (not a one time
>dosage), so it's probably still occurring. Any ideas where someone could
>get this kind of exposure? We have thought of Terminix, but we don't know
>if they use arsenic in their poisons.
>Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks,
>Morris
Morris,
Arsenic is ubiquitous, and the average daily dose is thought to be
somewhere between 10 and 50 micrograms. I will assume that your friend
has had urine/{*filter*} tests and they found elevated levels of arsenic. The
first thing you need to know is what the chemical form was. If your friend
eats a lot of seafood, it is notorious for elevating urinary arsenic levels
but the form is basically harmless. If the testing was done at a reputable
place, this should have been accounted for.
I don't know what Terminix uses, but this would not be my first guess for
an exposure source. Arsenical herbicides and pesticides are not widely used
anymore. Some possible sources I would question would be: Is there a private
well in use (i.e. well that is not tested)? Does your friend live near a
smelter? Does (s)he use any herbal remedies? Does (s)he burn inappropriate
wood in their house? (pressure treated wood has been soaked with arsenical
pesticides in the past and present, if burned it would volatize arsenic) If
(s)he has a constant elevated urine/{*filter*} level, you should be able to find
the source by checking the area (s)he lives in and the food/water (s)he
consumes. These are just some common sources of arsenicals. If you want a
more detailed listing you should check the _Medical and Biological Effects of
Environmental Pollutants: Arsenic_, National Academy of Science (1977). You
should definitely have the soil and water tested, if the levels don't go down.
-Hope this helps, S. Winski
Arsenic Poisoning