Arsenic Poisoning

Modified on Aug 06, 2016 | Earth Clinic Team

Arsenic is a metal that is commonly found in water and soil but can present serious health risks to those who come in contact with it. Night blindness, cancers, organ failure, and death are all potential outcomes of consistent arsenic exposure. To prevent these risks, testing ground water and soil are important.

Water Testing for Arsenic

Commercial tests for arsenic in water are commonly available online and in some stores. They are inexpensive, do not require the tester to mail in samples to get results, and notify the tester of the presence of arsenic by a easily visible color change. These tests are also very fast, informing testers of the results in as little as 14 minutes. If water testing proves positive, counter top and whole house filters are available to filter the arsenic out. These can be a bit more expensive, but they are well worth the cost when compared to the dangers associated with arsenic poisoning.

Testing for arsenic in the soil can be done using similar kits for water testing, but occasionally some universities with chemistry or science departments will offer testing for free. It is also a good idea to test wood in decks or retaining walls if they were built using pressure treated lumber produced prior to 2003. A simple wood wipe kit can be used to ascertain the arsenic content of the wood. Long-term exposure to arsenic is extremely dangerous, so make sure that the water, soil, and wood that is in the home is free of this metal. Tests are cheap, simple, quick and may just save a life.

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List of Remedies for Arsenic Poisoning