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Arsenic: friend or foe?
Arsenic is a naturally occurring chemical element that is present throughout our environment. As it is found everywhere, erosion and weathering of the soil can lead to contamination of underground water.
In history, in novels and the cinema, arsenic is portrayed as the perfect poison. However, it also has a neutralising effect … on certain types of tumour cell. So then: arsenic – friend or foe?
In fact, there are two different types of arsenic:
Organic arsenic: the type contained in plants and animals which combines with carbon or hydrogen. This form is relatively harmless. In fact, as a trace element it is essential to our body … though in modest doses only;
Inorganic arsenic: this combined with elements such as oxygen, chlorine or sulphur is far less friendly. When added to food and in large doses it can transform the most peace-loving housewife into a Madame Bovary or indeed a poisoner, depending on what her inclinations are …
So, do we need to be worried? Arsenic is present in the air, in water and in food. Some people inhale it with the smoke from their cigarettes. According to EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority), “consumption of inorganic arsenic in the long term will be associated with health problems such as skin lesions, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, etc. … Yet we are exposed to it through substances such as cereals, coffee, beer, rice, fish and seafood and even certain types of water.” But don’t worry … the level of arsenic in such foods is generally low.
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10 article(s)
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