A Poison Called Arsenic




This is a picture showing what it looks like when you breath in arsenic.

 

This is a picture showing what a case of poison arsenic looks like.






I'am writing an article to meet standard two. In the article, " Health Information about Arsenic", it is about how arsenic was discovered in Maryland, and how it is usually found in a combination with other elements. Many arsenic compounds are colorless powders that do not evaporate. Arsenic has no smell, and does not have a taste. The inorganic forms of arsenic are usually more toxic than its organic complex compounds found in animal and plant tissues. Arsenic is used for many things, such as controling insects and bacteria. People are exposed to this poison in many different ways such as breathing in dust particles that were contaminated with arsenic, and drinking groundwater that contains arsenic. Arsenic can't be destroyed because it is a basic element. It moves around in the environment, and changes forms. It usually moves with water, but sometimes it can stay in the soil for a very long time without traveling with the water through the soil. When arsenic enters your body it is carried in the bloodstream to parts of the body. Your liver converts the absorbed arsenic to a less hazardous form, and then your kidneys remove it in the urine. Then, the majority of the arsenic is gone after the exposure. Sometimes, your body can develop a burden of arsenic, if a large amount of arsenic is absorbed. High results of arsenic can result in death, and low levels of arsenic can result in vomitting and nausea. It can cause a pattern of skin changes.

Children are exposed to arsenic by playing in dirt, and putting their hands in their mouth. Children who have had a long-term exposure to arsenic has shown a result in lower IQ scores. They also are exposed to getting arsenic by playing on equipment made up of arsenic-treated lumber. Some ways to prevent the risks of being exposed to arsenic is to keep children away from playing in contaminated dirt, wash toys and pacifiers that children put in their mouths, avoid using arsenic-treated lumber around the home, was vegtetable and fruits in the garden to remove soil particles,  and prevent your pets from tracking in contaminated soil into your home. Tests of your fingernails, and hair can measure the exposure to arsenic over the past 6-12 months. Then, the tests can prove whether or not you have been exposed to high levels of arsenic. 90% of all arsenic produced is used as a preservative for wood so that it doesn't rot or decay. U.S. manufactures of wood preservatives have phased out the use of CCA in wood products, such as in picnic tables and boardwalks. I have a good understanding about arsenic and what it is. This article provided a lot of information about arsenic, and many helpful ways in order to prevent people and their families from being exposed to this poison.
  
          http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/Marylander/PublicHealthHome/Documents/www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/Factsheets/Arsenic_Health_Info.pdf