Complete a 3-page single space case study on the material in the attached fairfox case study document below. The 3 pages does not include the cover page or reference page! CITE ALL REFERENCES IN APA F

Arsenic Fact Sheet

What is arsenic

Arsenic is a chemical element that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust. When arsenic combines with other chemical elements such as oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur in the environment it forms inorganic arsenic. In animals and plants organic arsenic is formed when arsenic combines with carbon and hydrogen.

The inorganic form of arsenic is used to preserve wood. Copper chromated arsenate is used to make pressure-treated lumber. Although CCA use has been discontinued in residential areas in the U.S; factories and industries still use it in some industrial activities.

The organic form of arsenic is used in pesticides, mainly on cotton farms and orchards.

Where does the arsenic released into the environment go?

When arsenic is released into the environment from soils that naturally contain this substance, some may enter the air, water, and soil from wind-blown dust.

Arsenic is very stable in the environment and cannot be destroyed.

Dust particles from the air containing arsenic maybe moved by rain. The ability of arsenic to dissolve in water causes most forms of arsenic to end up in soil and sediment.

Fish and shellfish can store arsenic. Most of this arsenic is in an organic form called arsenobetaine which is much less harmful.

Am I at risk of being exposed to arsenic?

You may be exposed to arsenic if you eat or swallow small amounts present in food, or water or if you breathe air containing arsenic.

You may be exposed to arsenic if you breathe sawdust or smoke from burning wood treated with arsenic.

You may be exposed to arsenic if you live in areas with high natural levels of arsenic in rock.

Your type of job may also increase your likelihood, jobs that involve arsenic production use such as copper or lead smelting, wood treating or pesticide application increase your chances of being in contact in arsenic.

How Can Arsenic affect my health?

Skin contact with inorganic arsenic may cause redness and swelling.

Breathing high levels of inorganic arsenic can lead to sore throat or irritated lungs.

Eating or swallowing high levels of arsenic can result in death while lower levels can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart beat, damage to blood vessels and a feeling of “pins and needles” in hands and feet.

Continuous swallowing or breathing of low levels of inorganic arsenic for a long time can cause the skin to be darkened and the appearance of small “corns” or “warts” on the palms, underside of the foot and torso.

The health effects of organic arsenic compounds are not well known, however eating organic forms of arsenic can cause diarrhea and damage to the kidneys.

Can arsenic cause cancer?

Several studies have shown that consumption of inorganic arsenic can increase the chance of skin cancer and cancer in the liver, bladder, and lungs. Breathing inorganic arsenic dust can cause increased chance of lung cancer.

How can arsenic affect children?

There is some evidence that long-term exposure to arsenic in children may result in lower IQ scores. There is also some evidence that exposure to arsenic in the womb and early childhood may increase mortality in young adults.

There is some evidence that inhaled or ingested arsenic can injure pregnant women or their unborn babies, although the studies are not definitive.

Studies in animals show that large doses of arsenic that cause illness in pregnant females, can also cause low birth weight, fetal malformations, and even fetal death.

Arsenic can cross the placenta and has been found in fetal tissues. Arsenic is found at low levels in breast milk.

How can families reduce the risks of contacting arsenic?

Ensure they wear dust masks, gloves, and protective clothing when using arsenic-treated wood in home projects to decrease exposure to sawdust

Families that live in an area with high levels of arsenic in their water (not the case at the Fairfax Street Wood treating site) or soil should use cleaner sources of water and avoid contact with soil.

Members of the family that have jobs where they may encounter arsenic should ensure they shower and change their clothes before going home.

Is there a medical test to determine whether I’ve been exposed to arsenic?

There are tests available to measure arsenic in your blood, urine, hair, and fingernails. The urine test is the most reliable test for arsenic exposure within the last few days.

Tests on hair and fingernails can measure exposure to high levels of arsenic over the past 6-12 months. These tests can determine if you have been exposed to above-average levels of arsenic. They cannot predict whether the arsenic levels in your body will affect your health.

Federal Government Regulations to protect human health

The EPA has set limits on the amount of arsenic that industrial sources can release to the environment and has restricted or cancelled many of the uses of arsenic in pesticides. EPA has set a limit of 0.01 parts per million (ppm) for arsenic in drinking water.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 10 micrograms of arsenic per cubic meter of workplace air (10 μg/m3) for 8 hour shifts and 40-hour work weeks.

References: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 2007. Toxicological Profile for Arsenic (Update, 2012). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service.