INTRODUCTION

Arsenic is a trace element which is found in several foods including seafood, poultry, grains, bread, cereal products, mushrooms, and dairy products. Some forms of arsenic are used as medicine. It is often used as a part of extremely diluted homeopathic remedies. yellow, black and grey; the stable form is a silver-gray, brittle crystalline solid. Arsenic is a member of group Va of theperiodic table which combines readily with many elements. 6/3/12

v Arsenic appears in three allotropic forms:

EXPOSURE
Humans are exposed to arsenic through :v
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Air Water Poultry Food Skin contact with soil containing arsenic Remains of arsenic in nails and hair

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HEALTH EFFECTS
Inorganic Organic
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Irritation of stomach and intestines. Nerve injuries

v Decreased production of RBCS and WBCS. Stomachaches v Lung irritation v Skin disturbances v Brain damage v Damages DNA v Heart disruptions
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SYMPTOMS

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EFFECTS

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Techniques to remove arsenic from water

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Iron and Aluminium coagulation. Activated alumina adsorption Ion exchange Membrane filtration

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APPLICATIONS
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Used in making special types of glass. Used in food preservative. In the semiconductor gallium arsenide. Arsine gas AsH3, has become an important dopant gas in the microchip industry. Used as medicines. Copperacetoarsenite was used as a green pigment.
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