Title: Arsenic: Health Effects and Exposure - HealthyChildren.org
Headings: Arsenic: Health Effects and Exposure
Safety & Prevention
Arsenic: Health Effects and Exposure
Sources of Exposure
Health Effects
Prevention of Arsenic Exposure

Content: Arsenic: Health Effects and Exposure - HealthyChildren.org










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​Arsenic is a common metal found naturally in our environment. Arsenic occurs naturally in both organic (typically non-toxic) and inorganic forms. Inorganic arsenic is toxic and carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Sources of Exposure
Arsenic is widely present in nature. In the United States, there are higher concentrations of arsenic in the southwestern states, eastern Michigan, and parts of New England. In addition to being naturally present in the environment, arsenic has also been used for many years for industrial purposes including pest control, animal antimicrobial treatment, wood preservation, petroleum refining, and in the mining/smelting industries. Most industrial uses of arsenic employ the more toxic inorganic forms.