A Report On

TOXICITY DUE TO ARSENIC IN WATER

A technical report submitted in partital fulfillmemt of the requirements for the Continuous Assesment II for
the subject of

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (MC401)

by

NAME - SOUPARNA CHOUDHURY

COLLEGE ROLL NO. - CSE/21/075

UNIVERSITY ROLL NO. - 10700121047

Under the supervision of

Prof. Dr. Alok Ranjan Pal

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & MANAGEMENT, KOLAGHAT

(Affiliated to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology)
Purba Medinipur – 721171, West Bengal, India

MARCH 2023
 CONTENTS:

INTRODUCTION

SOURCES

MODE OF EFFECT

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

REMOVAL OF THESE METALS FROM WATER

CONCLUSION

REFERENCE
INTRODUCTION:

Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that can be found in water, soil, and air. Although some heavy metals
such as copper, iron, and zinc are essential to human health in small amounts, exposure to high levels of other heavy
metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic can be toxic to human health.
Exposure to heavy metals through contaminated water sources can lead to a variety of health problems. For example,
lead exposure in children can cause developmental and cognitive delays, while long-term exposure to arsenic has been
linked to various cancers, skin lesions, and cardiovascular disease.
Mercury exposure can cause neurological problems, including impaired cognitive function and motor coordination, as
well as reproductive and developmental problems. Cadmium exposure can lead to kidney damage, osteoporosis, and
lung cancer. Other heavy metals such as chromium and nickel have been linked to lung cancer and skin irritations.
The toxicity of heavy metals in water is a significant public health concern, particularly in developing countries where
safe drinking water is not readily available. Efforts are being made to prevent heavy metal contamination in water
sources and to provide safe drinking water to affected communities. This requires the implementation of effective
mitigation strategies, such as the use of water treatment technologies, regulation of industrial discharge, and education
and awareness programs to promote safe water consumption practices.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring chemical element that is present in the Earth's crust. It is found in various forms,
including inorganic and organic compounds. Inorganic arsenic is a toxic substance that can be harmful to human health,
especially when consumed in large amounts over a prolonged period of time.
One of the most common ways that people are exposed to arsenic is through contaminated drinking water. Arsenic can
leach into groundwater from natural sources or human activities such as mining and industrial processes. When
consumed, it can cause a range of health problems, including skin lesions, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and
developmental effects in children.
In this context, the toxicity due to arsenic in water has become a significant public health concern, particularly in
developing countries where safe drinking water is not readily available. Efforts are being made to prevent arsenic
contamination in water sources and to provide safe drinking water to affected communities. This requires the
implementation of effective mitigation strategies, such as the use of arsenic removal technologies and the development
of alternative water sources.
Arsenic is one of the most toxic metals derived from the natural environment. The major cause of human arsenic
toxicity is from contamination of drinking water from natural geological sources rather than from mining, smelting, or
agricultural sources (pesticides or fertilisers).1 Many industrialised and less industrialised countries have drinking water
contaminated with arsenic.2,3 The problem is of major concern in the USA—for example, the arsenic content of
drinking water from public and private sources in Millard County ranges from 14 parts per billion (ppb) to 166 ppb.4
The Environment Protection Agency lowered the permissible level of arsenic in drinking water in the USA in 2001
from 50 ppb to 10 ppb. Prolonged ingestion of water contaminated with arsenic may result in the manifestations of
toxicity in practically all systems of the body as subsequently discussed. The most serious concern is the potential of
arsenic to act as a carcinogen.
 SOURCES OF ARSENIC METAL:

Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid that can be found in the Earth's crust. It is widely distributed in nature and is
present in rocks, soils, water, and air. Arsenic can also be released into the environment through human activities such
as mining, smelting, and industrial processes.
In some parts of the world, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, arsenic contamination of groundwater is a major
public health concern. This contamination is often due to naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater, which can be
released into the water supply through geologic processes.
Additionally, mining and industrial activities can contribute to arsenic contamination of water and soil. For example,
arsenic is commonly used in the production of semiconductors, wood preservatives, and herbicides, and can be released
into the environment through waste disposal and runoff.
Overall, the sources of arsenic metal can vary depending on the region and the nature of human activities in the area.
However, the most common sources of arsenic metal include natural deposits, mining and industrial activities, and
waste disposal.

Arsenic poisoning can occur through various routes of exposure, including ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact.
The sources of arsenic poisoning can vary depending on the nature of human activities in the area, but some common
sources of arsenic poisoning include:
1. Contaminated drinking water: In many parts of the world, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, arsenic
contamination of groundwater is a major public health concern. This contamination is often due to naturally
occurring arsenic in groundwater, which can be released into the water supply through geologic processes. In some
cases, human activities such as mining and industrial processes can also contribute to arsenic contamination of
water sources.
2. Food: Arsenic can accumulate in some foods, particularly rice and certain types of seafood, through natural
processes or contamination from water and soil.
3. Occupational exposure: Workers in industries such as mining, smelting, and pesticide production can be exposed to
high levels of arsenic through inhalation or dermal contact.
4. Consumer products: Arsenic can be found in some consumer products such as pressure-treated wood, some types of
glass, and some types of makeup.
5. Environmental exposure: Arsenic can be released into the environment through natural processes or human
activities such as waste disposal and runoff from agricultural and industrial processes. This can lead to
contamination of soil and water sources, which can then lead to exposure through ingestion or inhalation.
Overall, the sources of arsenic poisoning can vary depending on the region and the nature of human activities in the
area. Effective management and prevention strategies are essential to reduce exposure and protect public health.
 MODE OF EFFECT:

Aquatic and terrestrial biota show a wide range of sensitivities to different arsenic species. Their sensitivity is modified
by biological and abiotic factors. In general, inorganic arsenicals are more toxic than organoarsenicals and arsenite is
more toxic than arsenate. The mode of toxicity and mechanism of uptake of arsenate by organisms differ considerably.
This may explain why there are interspecies differences in organism response to arsenate and arsenite. The primary
mechanism of arsenite toxicity is considered to result from its binding to protein sulfhydryl groups. Arsenate is known
to affect oxidative phosphorylation by competition with phosphate. In environments where phosphate concentrations
are high, arsenate toxicity to biota is generally reduced. As arsenate is a phosphate analogue, organisms living in
elevated arsenate environments must acquire the nutrient phosphorous yet avoid arsenic toxicity.
Arsenic compounds cause acute and chronic effects in individuals, populations and communities at concentrations
ranging from a few micrograms to milligrams per litre, depending on species, time of exposure and end-points
measured. These effects include lethality, inhibition of growth, photosynthesis and reproduction, and behavioural
effects. Arsenic-contaminated environments are characterized by limited species abundance and diversity. If levels of
arsenate are high enough, only species which exhibit resistance may be present.

RESPIRATORY EFFECT:

Effects of arsenic on the human respiratory system have been reported fromboth occupational exposure as well as
from tubewell water arsenic toxicity. Humans exposed to arsenic dust or fume inhalation are more apt to be
encountered in mining and milling of ores, in industrial processing, such as smelting industry,
which often produces irritation of the mucous membrane, resulting in laryngitis,bronchitis, rhinitis, and
tracheobronchitis, causing stuffy nose, sore throat, hoarseness, and chronic cough, etc.27 Very high exposure to
unprotected workers may manifest perforated nasal septum after 1 to 3 weeks of exposure,106 but such effects are
minor or absent at exposure levels of 0.01 to 1 mg/m3.65 A fatal case of arsenic trioxide inhalation manifested
widespread tracheobronchial mucosal and sub-mu-cosal hemorrhages with mucosal sloughing, alveolar hemorrhages,
and pulmonary edema.48 Chronic asthmatic bronchitis and asthma is a common complication of groundwater arsenic
toxicity.113 No reports exist on the respiratory effects of orga-noarsenicals in humans.

CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECT:

It has been suggested by several epidemiological studies that chronic inhala-tion of arsenic trioxide can increase the
risk of death in humans from cardiovascu-lar disease.4,70,133 Long-term inhalation of inorganic arsenic could injure
the blood vessels or the heart. Zaldivar143 reported several cases of myocardial infarction and Marterial thickening in
children who consumed water containing about 0.6 mg/l arsenic.Arsenic ingestion through food or water may have
serious effects on the human cardiovascular system. Both acute and chronic arsenic exposure cause altered myocar-
dial depolarization and cardiac arrhythmias that may lead to heart failure. Low-level arsenic exposure by humans may
also cause vascular system damage, a classicexample of which is Blackfoot disease, which is endemic in an area of
Taiwan where most drinking water contains 0.17 to 0.8 ppm arsenic,126 corresponding to doses of about 0.01 to 0.5
mg As/kg/d.32 In groundwater arsenicosis of West Bengal,this ischenice gangrene from vasenlitis is not seen,
probably due to less arsenic concentration circulating in the bloodstream.113The effects of arsenic on the vascular
system have also been reported in a number of other populations. In Chile, ingestion of 0.6 to 0.8 mg/l arsenic in
drinking water(equivalent to 0.02 to 0.06 mg As/kg/d) increased the incidence of Raynaud’s disease and of cyanosis of
the fingers and the toes.13,143 Thickening of blood vesselsand their oclution were noticed due to arsenic in beer
poisoning.90,110 In a case of acute voluntary massive arsenic in toxicaction, the muscles showed
hypercontractedfibers, myofibrillar disruption, mitochondrial abnormalities, and cytoplasmic vacu-oles. No data are
available for cardiovascular effects due to organoarsenicals.
DERMAL EFFECT:

Skin disorders have been documented in several epidemiological studies in which people consumed drinking water
that contained arsenic of levels of 0.01 to 0.1 mg As/kg/d or more. Characteristic effects of arsenic ingestion included
gen-eralized hyperkeratosis, warts, or corns on the palms and the soles, and areas of hyperpigmentation interspersed
with small areas of hypopigmentation on the face, neck, and back.12,13,21,59,61,143,107 Several epidemiological
studies involving 20 to 200 people detected no dermal or other effects as a result of exposure to chronic doses of 0.003
to 0.01 mg As/kg/d.118,131 A chronic oral dose of 0.01 mg As/kg/d or less would pose little risk of non-cancer effects
in humans.

NEUROLOGICAL EFFECT:

Several studies have indicated that ingestion of inorganic arsenic can result inneural injury. Like the cardiovascular
system, both the peripheral and central components of the nervous system can be damaged by arsenic.103, 115, 136,
137 In the ex-perience of one of us (KCS),113 no neuropathy was found, but one case of myopathy was seen. In acute
high exposures (1 mg As/kg/d or more) often cause encepha-lopathy with such symptoms as headache,
lethargy,mental confusion/hallucina-tion, seizures, and coma.25 Individuals with repeated arsenic exposures
frequently contract sensorimotor polyneuropathy, which usually, but not always, displays sym-metrical involvement
and may resemble Landry-Guillain-Barre Syndrome in its presentation. Neuropathy may appear in 1 to 5 weeks after
an acute exposure and is produced mainly by axonal degeneration.Symptoms of chronic encephalopathy include
persistent headache, diminished recent memory, distractibility, abnormal irritability, restless sleep, loss of libido,
increased urinary urgency, and increased effects of small amount of ethanol. Secondary depression, anxiety, panic
attacks, and somatizations are common, in addition to the organic cognitive impairment documented by
neuropsychological testing.Electromyographic technique (EMG) used to detect neuropathy showed de-creased nerve
condition amplitude with little change in nerve condition velocity.29Bansal et al reported asymmetric bilateral phrenic
nerve involvement in a patient who was poisoned by arsenic.Inhalation of inorganic arsenic can cause neurological
injury in humans. They may include peripheral neuropathy of both sensory and motor neurons, causing
numbness loss of reflexes and muscle weakness.
 ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS:

Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid that is widely distributed in the environment. Exposure to arsenic can have
significant impacts on the environment, including:
1. Soil contamination: Arsenic can accumulate in soil through natural processes or contamination from human
activities such as mining, industrial processes, and waste disposal. High levels of arsenic in soil can lead to
reduced crop yields and contamination of food sources.
2. Water contamination: Arsenic can contaminate water sources through natural processes or human activities such
as mining and industrial processes. High levels of arsenic in water can have significant impacts on aquatic
ecosystems, including reduced biodiversity and fish kills.

3. Air pollution: Arsenic can be released into the air through natural processes or human activities such as mining and
smelting. Inhalation of arsenic can lead to respiratory problems, including lung cancer.
4. Toxicity to wildlife: Exposure to arsenic can have toxic effects on wildlife, including reduced growth and
reproduction, behavioral changes, and mortality.
5. Human health impacts: Exposure to high levels of arsenic can have significant impacts on human health, including
various cancers, skin lesions, and cardiovascular disease.
Overall, the presence of arsenic in the environment is a significant public health and environmental concern. Efforts
are being made to reduce arsenic contamination through the implementation of effective management and prevention
strategies, such as regulation of industrial processes, waste management, and education and awareness programs.

REMOVAL OF ARSENIC FROM WATER:

There are several methods for removing arsenic from water, including:
1. Coagulation/Filtration: Coagulants such as ferric chloride or alum are added to water to form flocs, which are then
filtered out of the water. This method can remove both particulate and dissolved arsenic.
2. Adsorption: This method involves using adsorbent media such as activated alumina, iron oxide, or granular
activated carbon to remove arsenic from water by adsorption onto the media. This method can remove both
arsenic (III) and arsenic (V).
3. Reverse Osmosis: Reverse osmosis is a membrane filtration process that removes dissolved solids from water.
This method can remove both arsenic (III) and arsenic (V).
4. Ion Exchange: This method involves exchanging ions in the water for ions on an exchange resin. This method can
remove both arsenic (III) and arsenic (V).
5. Electrocoagulation: This method involves using an electrochemical process to form flocs, which are then filtered
out of the water. This method can remove both particulate and dissolved arsenic.
6. Biological Treatment: This method involves using bacteria to convert arsenic (III) to arsenic (V), which can then
be removed using coagulation/filtration or adsorption.
The choice of method will depend on various factors such as the concentration of arsenic in the water, the flow rate,
and the availability of resources. It is important to ensure that the chosen method is effective in removing arsenic and
does not create other environmental or health hazards.
 CONCLUSION:

There is sufficient evidence of significant adverse impacts of mercury and its compounds on a global scale. There
should be international action to reduce the risks to human health and the environment arising from mercury releases.

It is important to have better understanding of the issues, but it is not necessary to have
full consensus or complete evidence in order to take action. These adverse effects need to be
addressed at the global, regional, national and local levels.

reducing or eliminating the production, consumption and releases of mercury;

substituting products and processes;
extending legal and voluntary agreements; and
strengthening cooperation amongst governments for information-sharing, risk assessment
and risk communication.
increasing protection of sensitive populations, such as pregnant women;
providing technical and financial support to developing countries and to countries with
economies in transition.

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3988285/
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https://samcotech.com/how-to-remove-mercury-from-your-industrial-water-
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