Arsenic in food and water causes human health risks, especially for infants and children. Learn how to decrease these risks to your and your child’s health.
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What is Arsenic? Tips & Info
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 Arsenic in its inorganic form can be harmful to your health. Children may be more sensitive to these effects.
Harmful levels of arsenic can be present in drinking water from private wells. Test your well.
Arsenic in the rock seeps into the groundwater.
Arsenic-containing pesticides are mostly banned now. They can still be used in non-agricultural areas.
 Arsenic is being removed from chicken feed, but is still present in manure and fertilizer.
Arsenic from the soil can be found in apples and then concentrated in apple juice.
Rice is the most common source of arsenic in our diet. Rice plants absorb arsenic from soil and water more readily than other plants.
ARSENIC Arsenic is a cancer causing chemical found widely in our environment.
WATER If you get your drinking water from a private well, you should have your water tested for arsenic. EPA regulations and testing only apply to public water sources, not private wells.
INDUSTRY Arsenic was widely used in mining, agriculture, and wood products. It spread into our water and soil.
BEDROCK Arsenic deposits within rock can seep into groundwater.
FARMLANDS Arsenic used in pesticides decades ago can still be present in soil today.
CHICKEN  Arsenic in antibiotics fed to chickens can end up in their manure, and then back into the soil when used as fertilizer.
APPLES Apples can contain arsenic from soil or water contamination.
RICE Rice plants readily take up arsenic present in soil and water.
RICE Rice and rice products are the most common sources of arsenic in our diet.
Arsenic persists in the soils of farmland previously sprayed with arsenic-containing pesticides.
Tips and Health Risks
White rice contains lower amounts of arsenic than brown rice. Substitute rice with other grains with minimal arsenic content such as millet and quinoa.
Rinsing your rice before cooking will decrease the arsenic content. If you get your drinking water from a private well, make sure it has been tested for arsenic.
Choose other juices over apple juice, or skip juices.
Developing bodies are more sensitive to the effects of arsenic. Children may have higher arsenic exposures.
No amount of arsenic is considered safe. It is a well-recognized cause of skin and bladder cancer. Other potential health impacts include diabetes, heart disease, and immune system problems.
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