1. Arsenic
“Because of its sinister, homicidal uses, arsenic became world-renowned as the ‘inheritance powder,’” “What made arsenic such a good homicidal poison is the same thing that makes it dangerous in environmental exposures — it gives no warning” .
“It’s mostly tasteless, it’s odorless, and it’s colorless. The symptoms of arsenic poisoning, especially if given in small doses over a long time, mimic those of natural diseases, so for a long time, people got away with it. Arsenic became one of the great historical poisons in human history.”

2. Arsenic occurs naturally
Drinking water
Industrial by-products
Smelting
Coal Emissions
Treated wood
Pesticides or herbicides
Food
Juices, Rice, Seafood

3. Forms of Arsenic Most common and stable
Arsenite (+3)
Arsenate (+5)
Can bind to other elements to form inorganic/organic As.
Readily binds to Sulfur.

4. Why do we care? 20th most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust
A known multiple organ carcinogen
Non-cancer endpoints

5. Health Effects

6. Reproductive Effects Known developmental toxicant and teratogen.
Readily crosses the placenta

7. Arsenic: continues to poison the water of millions around the globe
Smedley, Pauline L Sources and distribution of arsenic in groundwater and aquifers. In: Appelo, Tony, (ed.) Arsenic in Groundwater : a World Problem. British Geological Survey

8. As contamination around the world