Laboratory tests can measure
arsenic levels in your blood, urine, hair, and fingernails. But these tests are
not done routinely – they require sending the samples to a special laboratory.
A urine test is the most reliable
method for identifying arsenic exposure within the past several days. But it
can’t detect long-term exposure because most arsenic leaves the body in urine
within a few days.
This test also can sometimes be misleading, because the
organic forms of arsenic in fish and shellfish can give a high reading even if
you haven’t been exposed to the more toxic, inorganic forms of arsenic.
For
this reason, labs sometimes use a more complicated test to separate “fish
arsenic” from other forms.
Tests of hair and fingernails can
detect high-level arsenic exposures during the past 6 to 12 months, but these
tests are not as good at detecting lower levels of exposure.
These tests can only measure arsenic
levels. Unless the levels detected are very high, none of these tests can tell
for certain if you are likely to have health problems in the future.
If a person has been exposed to
very high amounts of arsenic over a short time, treatment to lower arsenic
levels in the body may be recommended, especially if the levels are potentially
life-threatening.
But in cases of chronic exposure to lower levels of arsenic,
the most important thing may be to remove the source of the arsenic to stop
further exposure and allow the body to get rid of what remains.
Some health
problems caused by arsenic may improve over time, but others may not.
Because arsenic exposure can
increase the risk of skin, bladder, lung, and possibly some other cancers,
people who have been exposed should learn about other risk factors for these
cancers and about things they can do that may help lower their risks.
Not smoking is especially
important if you have been exposed to arsenic. Both arsenic exposure and
smoking can increase your risk of lung, kidney, and bladder cancer.
Tell your
doctor if you develop symptoms that could be caused by these cancers, including
a new cough (especially if it is bloody), hoarseness, blood in the urine, or a
change in your urine habits (having to go more often, having pain when going,
etc.).
These symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than
cancer, but it is important to have them checked out.
Arsenic exposure and too much sun
can both increase your risk of skin cancer. Practice sun safety and tell your
doctor about any signs and symptoms such as new skin bumps or sores, or changes
in old skin problems.
If you have been exposed to
arsenic, ask your doctor about a proper schedule for skin exams. Based on your
arsenic exposure and other factors.
Your doctor might consider using other
early detection testing, such as urine
cytology (checking urine for cancer cells under a microscope),
although it’s not clear how helpful such testing is.
Specification of arsenic
compounds in water
Arsenic contaminated water
typically contains arsenous acid and arsenic acid or their derivatives. Their
names as "acids" is a formality, these species are not aggressive acids
but are merely the soluble forms of arsenic near neutral pH.
These compounds
are extracted from the underlying rocks that surround the aquifer. Arsenic acid
tends to exist as the ions [HAsO]2− and [HAsO]− in neutral water, whereas
arsenous acid is not ionized.
Ground water may contain nitrates,
which are chemicals often found in fertilizer, and arsenic that
may occur naturally or from farm or industrial waste.
Nitrates, along with nitrites,
are also found in processed meats.
Consuming water contaminated with
nitrates can cause a blood disorder called methemoglobinemia and some research
shows that nitrates in drinking water may be associated with some types of
cancer.
Exposure to arsenic may result in
arsenic poisoning and increased risks of several types of cancer.
Nitrates and arsenic are not like
bacteria, so boiling your water doesn't remove them. In fact, boiling water
makes it worse -- the longer the water is boiled, the higher the
concentration of these substances will be.
The levels of both nitrates and
arsenic are regulated and water supplies must be monitored in towns and cities,
so if your tap water comes from a city water source, it's safe. People
who have private wells in rural areas must have their well water
tested for nitrates and arsenic.
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