Arsenic - Blood

Arsenic detected in blood indicates recent exposure—typically within hours to days. It may come from contaminated food, water, air, or work environments; inorganic arsenic is more harmful than organic forms. Symptoms range from nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and numbness to cardiovascular or neurological effects. Any detectable or high level needs prompt medical evaluation, removal from exposure, and, for significant poisoning, supportive care and possible chelation.

Arsenic in blood is treated in hospital. First steps: remove exposure, decontaminate (wash skin; gastric decontamination if ingestion was recent) and seek emergency care. Definitive removal uses chelation therapy (e.g., dimercaprol, succimer or DMPS) under medical supervision. Supportive care—IV fluids, electrolytes, cardiac monitoring—and, in severe cases, hemodialysis may be used. Do not self‑treat; follow clinicians’ advice.

High levels of arsenic cause acute poisoning with severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures and multi-organ failure; it can be fatal. Chronic exposure leads to skin changes (hyperpigmentation, hyperkeratosis), peripheral neuropathy, ongoing gastrointestinal problems, higher risks of cancers (skin, lung, bladder), cardiovascular disease, diabetes and developmental harm. Arsenic disrupts cellular respiration and enzyme function.

Yes. A blood test can detect recent arsenic exposure, especially within hours to a day or two and is used in suspected acute poisoning. However, urine testing is generally preferred for confirming exposure and for speciation of inorganic versus organic arsenic over the past 1–3 days. Hair or nail analysis can indicate longer-term exposure. Testing should be done promptly and interpreted by clinicians.

Acute arsenic poisoning can be treated; early decontamination, supportive care and chelation (for example dimercaprol or succimer) improve outcomes. Chronic arsenic exposure cannot usually be fully cured; stopping exposure, treating symptoms, managing skin and organ damage, and regular monitoring can reduce harm. Some long-term effects, including neuropathy and increased cancer risk, may be irreversible and need specific treatments.

Yes. Inorganic arsenic is a proven human carcinogen: long-term exposure raises risks of skin, lung and bladder cancers, and may increase risks for liver, kidney and other cancers. Major sources include contaminated groundwater, some foods and occupational exposures. Organic arsenic from seafood is generally less harmful. Risk depends on dose and duration; reducing exposure (testing water, using treatment) lowers cancer risk.