Languages:
The source document for this Digest states:
Environmental levels and human exposure
Mean total arsenic concentrations in air from remote and rural areas range from 0.02 to 4 ng/m3. Mean total arsenic concentrations in urban areas range from 3 to about 200 ng/m3; much higher concentrations (> 1000 ng/m3) have been measured in the vicinity of industrial sources, although in some areas this is decreasing because of pollution abatement measures. Concentrations of arsenic in open ocean seawater are typically 1–2 µg/litre. Arsenic is widely distributed in surface freshwaters, and concentrations in rivers and lakes are generally below 10 µg/litre, although individual samples may range up to 5 mg/litre near anthropogenic sources. Arsenic levels in groundwater average about 1–t 2 µg/litre except in areas with volcanic rock and sulfide mineral deposits where arsenic levels can range up to 3 mg/litre. Mean sediment arsenic concentrations range from 5 to 3000 mg/kg, with the higher levels occurring in areas of contamination. Background concentrations in soil range from 1 to 40 mg/kg, with mean values often around 5 mg/kg. Naturally elevated levels of arsenic in soils may be associated with geological substrata such as sulfide ores. Anthropogenically contaminated soils can have concentrations of arsenic up to several grams per 100 ml
Source & ©: IPCS "Environmental Health
Criteria for Arsenic and Arsenic compounds",
EHC 224, Chapter 1: Summary, section 4
The source document for this Digest states:
Marine organisms normally contain arsenic residues ranging from < 1 to more than 100 mg/kg, predominantly as organic arsenic species such as arsenosugars (macroalgae) and arsenobetaine (invertebrates and fish). Bioaccumulation of organic arsenic compounds, after their biogenesis from inorganic forms, occurs in aquatic organisms. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) in freshwater invertebrates and fish for arsenic compounds are lower than for marine organisms. Biomagnification in aquatic food chains has not been observed. Background arsenic concentrations in freshwater and terrestrial biota are usually less than 1 mg/kg (fresh weight). Terrestrial plants may accumulate arsenic by root uptake from the soil or by adsorption of airborne arsenic deposited on the leaves. Arsenic levels are higher in biota collected near anthropogenic sources or in areas with geothermal activity. Some species accumulate substantial levels, with mean concentrations of up to 3000 mg/kg at arsenical mine sites.
Source & ©: IPCS "Environmental Health
Criteria for Arsenic and Arsenic compounds",
EHC 224, Chapter 1: Summary, section 4
The source document for this Digest states:
Non-occupational human exposure to arsenic in the environment is primarily through the ingestion of food and water. Of these, food is generally the principal contributor to the daily intake of total arsenic. In some areas arsenic in drinking-water is a significant source of exposure to inorganic arsenic. In these cases, arsenic in drinking-water often constitutes the principal contributor to the daily arsenic intake. Contaminated soils such as mine tailings are also a potential source of arsenic exposure. The daily intake of total arsenic from food and beverages is generally between 20 and 300 µg/day. Limited data indicate that approximately 25% of the arsenic present in food is inorganic, but this depends highly on the type of food ingested. Inorganic arsenic levels in fish and shellfish are low (< 1%). Foodstuffs such as meat, poultry, dairy products and cereals have higher levels of inorganic arsenic. Pulmonary exposure may contribute up to approximately 10 µg/day in a smoker and about 1 µg/day in a non-smoker, and more in polluted areas. The concentration of metabolites of inorganic arsenic in urine (inorganic arsenic, MMA and DMA) reflects the absorbed dose of inorganic arsenic on an individual level. Generally, it ranges from 5 to 20 µg As/litre, but may even exceed 1000 µg/litre.
In workplaces with up-to-date occupational hygiene practices, exposure generally does not exceed 10 µg/m3 (8-h time-weighted average [TWA]). However, in some places workroom atmospheric arsenic concentrations as high as several milligrams per cubic metre have been reported
Source & ©: IPCS "Environmental Health
Criteria for Arsenic and Arsenic compounds",
EHC 224, Chapter 1: Summary, section 4
This summary is free and ad-free, as is all of our content. You can help us remain free and independant as well as to develop new ways to communicate science by becoming a Patron!
BECOME A PATRON!