Arsenic is known to cause cancer, as well as many other serious
health problems. Here we review the hazards of arsenic exposure
and ways people can protect themselves from these hazards. What
is arsenic? Arsenic is an element in the environment that can be
found naturally in rocks and soil, water, air, and in plants and
animals. It can also be released into the environment from some
agricultural and industrial sources. Arsenic has no taste or
smell. Although sometimes found in its pure form as a steel grey
metal, arsenic is usually part of chemical compounds. These
compounds are divided into 2 groups: - Inorganic compounds
(combined with oxygen, iron, chlorine, and sulfur) - Organic
compounds (combined with carbon and other atoms) Inorganic
arsenic compounds are found in industry, in building products
(in some "pressure-treated" woods), and in arsenic-contaminated
water. This is the form of arsenic that tends to be more toxic
and has been linked to cancer. Organic arsenic compounds are
much less toxic than th