INORGANIC ARSENIC

Arsenic is an atomic chemical element. Arsenic is an innate component that is found in high levels in the earth crust. It is a natural heavy metal making it a metalloid which is poisonous. It exists in compound form that consists of carbon, sulfur and other elements.  Arsenic is inorganic in form which makes it highly toxic (National Research Council (U.S.), & National Academies Press (U.S.), 2013). Arsenates are highly soluble in water. Its occupational health hazard in the long term results to cancer and skin lesions. Inorganic arsenic has also been linked with developmental effects, diabetes, neurotoxicity and cardiovascular diseases. There has also been chronic arsenic poisoning as a result of being in a constant contact with the contaminated water (National Research Council (U.S.), & National Academies Press (U.S.), 2013).

Employees in Thailand working in oil drilling sites have a high risk of getting contaminated with inorganic arsenic due to the exposure of inhalation, ingestion, and eye contact or dermal. Due to the exposure workers in the oil drilling sites inhale contaminated gas that lead to constriction of their veins and arteries that in return reduce the blood flow that lowers the function of the nerves. The acute exposure to the workers results to lung distress that eventually results to death (National Research Council (U.S.), & National Academies Press (U.S.), 2013). The route of exposure is a natural component of the earth crust. It is widely spread and concentrated on the ground where the oil workers dig dipper in order to extract the oil from the earth crust. The deep penetration is caused by where the oil deposits are found on earth. Toxic gases are emitted from the drilling which the workers inhale slowly contaminating their health system. Despite the precaution taken the industrial activities is a primary cause of exposing the arsenic and the arsenic compound to the air which is hazardous.

 

Reference

National Research Council (U.S.)., & National Academies Press (U.S.),. (2013). Critical aspects of EPA's IRIS assessment of inorganic arsenic: Interim report.