Does arsenic cause any other health problems?

Both short- and long-term exposure to arsenic can cause health problems.

Short-term exposure

Breathing in high levels of arsenic may cause a sore throat and irritated lungs.

Swallowing high levels of arsenic can cause things like:

• Stomachache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle weakness and cramping
• “Pins and needles” sensations in hands and feet
• Skin changes or rashes
• Bruising (caused by blood vessel damage)

Exposure to high enough amounts of arsenic can be fatal.

Contact with the skin can cause redness and swelling, although it’s not known if it can cause other health problems.

Long-term exposure

Exposure to lower levels of arsenic over longer periods of time can cause many of the same health problems listed above. It can also result in:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Liver and kidney damage
• A shortage of red and white blood cells, which can lead to fatigue and an increased risk of infections

Skin changes are a common sign of chronic arsenic exposure.

The changes can include darkened patches of skin and the appearance of areas of thickened skin, usually on the palms and soles.

Is arsenic levels regulated?

Several US government agencies regulate arsenic levels and exposures, a few of which are described here.

The EPA limits concentrations of arsenic (in all forms) in drinking water to 10 ppb (parts per billion). 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a limit of 10 ppb in bottled water, and has also proposed a limit of 10 ppb in apple juice. 

There are no federal limits for arsenic in most foods.

The EPA has also set limits on the amount of arsenic that industrial sources can release into the  environment and has restricted the use of arsenic in pesticides.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the federal agency responsible for health and safety regulations in most workplaces, limits workplace exposure to inorganic arsenic to 10 micro grams per cubic meter of air, averaged over an 8-hour period.

When working at potentially higher exposure levels, OSHA requires employers to provide personal protective equipment such as respirators.