Arsenic Poisoning - Symptoms, causes and treatment

Health

Arsenic poisoning is a condition when a person is exposed to high levels of arsenic. This condition generally occurs in people who live or work in industrial environments that use arsenic as a raw material.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring substance that is widely distributed in the earth's crust. This substance can be found in water, air, and soil naturally. This causes arsenic can also be found in several types of food, such as seafood, poultry, milk, to meat.

Arsenic is divided into two types, namely organic arsenic and inorganic arsenic. Here is the explanation:

  • Organic arsenic

    Organic arsenic is usually used in the manufacture of insecticides (insect killer drugs) which are harmless to humans in small amounts.

  • Arsenik iorganic

    Inorganic arsenic is commonly used in the textile or mining industries where it is found in gaseous form and is highly toxic if inhaled. Inorganic arsenic is more dangerous than organic arsenic.

PCauses of Arsenic Poisoning

Arsenic poisoning generally occurs as a result of consuming arsenic-contaminated groundwater. This is because groundwater can absorb arsenic naturally and can be contaminated with industrial waste. Arsenic has no taste or smell, so a person can be exposed to arsenic without knowing it.

In addition to groundwater, arsenic poisoning can also be caused by several things, namely:

  • Smoking, especially cigarettes from tobacco plants contaminated with arsenic
  • Consuming drinks or food contaminated with arsenic, such as organic rice
  • Breathing arsenic-contaminated air in industrial or mining environments using arsenic

Arsenic poisoning can happen to anyone. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing arsenic poisoning, namely:

  • Work or live in an industrial environment
  • Living in an industrial waste disposal area

GSymptoms of Arsenic Poisoning

Arsenic poisoning causes different symptoms, depending on the high levels of arsenic that enter the body and the period of exposure. The following are some of the symptoms of arsenic poisoning:

  • Digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea
  • Muscle cramp
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Tingling in fingers and toes
  • Dark urine
  • Dehydration
  • Disorders of the brain, such as headaches, seizures, or delirium
  • Breath and urine smell like garlic

In addition, people who are exposed to arsenic continuously in the long term can also experience symptoms such as:

  • Changes in the skin, such as darkening of the skin, the growth of warts, or the appearance of a skin rash
  • The appearance of white lines on the nails
  • Decreased sensory and motor nerves
  • Decreased liver or kidney function

When to go to the doctor

Immediately see a doctor if you experience the symptoms and complaints mentioned above, especially if you are at risk for exposure to arsenic or the symptoms appear suddenly. If you don't get help right away, arsenic poisoning can lead to death.

DArsenic poisoning diagnosis

To diagnose arsenic poisoning, the doctor will ask questions about the patient's symptoms and where the patient lives and works. Next, the doctor will perform a physical examination on the patient.

Arsenic poisoning is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms vary. Therefore, the doctor will perform several additional examinations, such as:

  • Blood tests, to detect levels of arsenic in the blood, detect levels of electrolytes in the body, especially calcium and magnesium, and count the number of blood cells
  • Urine examination, to detect levels of arsenic in urine
  • Electrocardiogram, to monitor the work of the heart, especially the rhythm of the heartbeat and the electrical flow of the heart

Arsenic levels in the body are considered elevated if they exceed 50 micrograms per liter of blood or urine. However, poisoning that occurs acutely and dangerously can be 5–100 times that number.

PArsenic Poisoning Treatment

If a person experiences arsenic poisoning, the best way of handling is to stay away from exposure to arsenic, because there has not been found a cure for poisoning this compound. The improvement of the condition depends on the severity and duration of the symptoms.

Dialysis or hemodialysis can remove arsenic in the blood, but is only effective if the arsenic has not been bound to the tissues. In addition, patients can undergo chelation therapy with the drugs succimer or dimercaprol to bind arsenic substances in the blood so that they can then be excreted through urine.

KComplications of Arsenic Poisoning

Arsenic poisoning that is not treated properly can lead to several serious complications, namely:

  • Babies are born with disabilities or die in pregnant women who are poisoned by arsenic
  • Disturbances in child development
  • Diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and nervous system poisoning
  • Lung cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, skin cancer, or liver cancer
  • Death in cases of acute arsenic poisoning in high levels

Arsenic Poisoning Prevention

Arsenic poisoning can be prevented by avoiding exposure to arsenic as much as possible. Some things that can be done are:

  • If you work in an industry that uses arsenic, wear personal protective equipment when working, such as a mask and gloves.
  • If you live in an industrial area or an area with high arsenic levels, use a cleaner water source or take advantage of government water supply and sanitation services.
  • If you are traveling, try to always drink bottled water.