article_snippet: Arsenic poisoning is one of the most toxic substances known to man and has been used to poison kings, emperors and even prize winning racehorses.
article_snippet: Worldwide arsenic poisoning caused by contaminated water and food is thought to harm more than 137 million people.
article_snippet: Even low levels of arsenic poisoning can cause damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver, leading to cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
article_snippet: Arsenic was used as a poison during the era because Arsenic was undetectable when administered over a long period.
article_snippet: arsenic is a preservative.
article_snippet: The arsenic has then been released into springs that are used for drinking water purposes. '
article_snippet: Arsenic was commonly used as an ingredient in medicine and cosmetics but also was often used as a poison .
article_snippet: Arsenic contamination can occur as a result of industrial activity such as gold mining but also occurs naturally.
article_snippet: During the Elizabethan era arsenic trioxide was used to create makeup for women's faces.
article_snippet: the Elizabethan era arsenic trioxide was also used to make poisonous gas lewisite during the First World War, which caused the Elizabethan era arsenic trioxide victims to blister before its victims died.
article_snippet: In 2008 the authorities in China also confirmed that Emperoro Guangxu, who was the second last emperor to rule China, was poisoned with a massive dose of arsenic.
article_snippet: King Faisal I of iraq was also found to have suffered symptoms of arsenic poisoning while in Switzerland in 1993 and South American independence leader Simon bolivar is thought to have died due to chronic arsenic poisoning.
article_snippet: The successful race horse Phar Lap was also found to have died after a massive dose of arsenic.
article_snippet: Dr Broberg said: 'these levels do not result in acute toxicity but arsenic slowly damages cells and tissues and can result in later diseases. '
highlights_snippet: resistance to poison water supply is contaminated with arsenic 20 times level deemed safe .
  
highlights_snippet: Arsenic poisoning is thought to harm more than 137 million people globally .