The document discusses various pollutants including carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons, pesticides, cigarette smoke, heavy metals like lead and mercury, and their sources and effects on health and the environment. It highlights health risks associated with exposure to these contaminants such as respiratory issues, cancers, and acute poisoning, and describes some treatment methods for heavy metal poisoning. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of controlling these pollutants to mitigate their harmful impacts.

1. 1
Monika Rani Saha
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacy, University of Rajshahi
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

2. 2
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide: It is an odourless and
colourless gas
It is originated in the incomplete combustion of
carbonaceous materials. It is highly poisonous gas.
Sources:
1. The chief source of CO in atmosphere is
combustion due to the automobile exhausts.
2. When coal, wood and oil are burnt, black smoke is
produced which contain CO.
3.Cigarette smoke also contain CO.

3. 3
Continued
4. Some industrial operation such as electric and blast
furnaces, some petroleum refining operations, gas
manufacturing plants and mines are contributors of
CO to the atmosphere.
Effects:
1. Co has a strong affinity for combining with the
haemoglobin of the blood to form
carboxyhaemoglobin. This reduces the ability of
the haemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body
tissue.
2. CO also affects the CNS. It is also responsible for
heart attacks.

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Oxides Of NITROGEN
Oxides of nitrogen are the most abandoned
atmospheric contaminant.
Sources:
1. Smoke released by automobile engines contains
oxides of nitrogen.
2. Highest concentration of NO2 in gaseous emission
occurs form industries where nitric acid is produced
or used in chemical reaction.
3. In many chemical industries which manufacture
explosives and nitrogenous fertilizers also produce
oxides of nitrogen.

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4. Also present in tobacco smoke.
5. Large amount of nitrogen oxides are also emitted
from power plants.
6. When coal, oil and natural gas undergo combustion
at high temperature produce N2 and O2 which upon
combination in atmosphere produce NO and NO2
N2 + O2
110℃
2NO
O2
2NO2
Effects: 1. NO2 is very corrosive and affect skin.
2. NO2 helps in formation of smog which causes
irritation in eye due to the presence of O3.
3. NO2 provides HNO3 by reacting with rainy water
and moisture.
4NO2 + 2H2O + O2  4HNO3
Continued

6. 6
The HNO3 acid then comes down as acid rain or acid
snow. It makes the lakes so acidic that they can no
longer support fish life. The production of agricultural
crops is also reduced.
4. It is estimated that eye and nasal irritation will be
observed after exposure to about 15 ppm of NO2 and
pulmonary discomfort after brief exposure to 25 ppm
of NO2.
Continued

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Continued
Hydrocarbons
# Chemical compounds which contain, C and H is
called hydrocarbon. It is denoted by CxH2x+2
# Most motor vehicles and engines are powered by
hydrocarbon based fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
# Hydrocarbon pollution results when unburned and
partially burned fuel emitted from the engine as
exhaust and also when fuel evaporates directly into
the atmosphere.

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Sources:
i. Road mobile sources : bus, truck, car etc.
ii. Non-road mobile sources : train, marine vehicles,
aircraft etc.
iii. Others not mobile sources :
-agricultural sources, -petroleum
-forest fire, -coal
Effects:
Health impact of hydrocarbons:
 Acute respiratory symptoms
 Headaches
 Vomiting
 Brain damage
Continued

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 Reduced cardiovascular function
 Irritation of eye, nose and throat
 Dizziness
 Coma
 Premature death
 Arrhythmia
 High concentrations have carcinogenic effects on
lungs.
(B) Environmental impact of hydrocarbons
(i) Major components of smog.
(ii) Inhibit plant growth and damage leaf tissues and
death of following plants.
Continued

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Pesticides: A pesticide is a substance or mixture of
substance-used to kill pest. A pesticide is any substance
intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or
migrating any pest. A pesticide may be a chemical
substance, biological agent (bacteria, virus),
antimicrobial disinfectant or device used against pest.
Pest includes- insects plant pathogens, birds, and
microbes etc.
Source of Pesticides
i. Elemental sulphur
ii. Toxic chemical (arsenic, lead, mercury)
iii. Nicotine sulphate
iv. Organochlorine infectant (DDT)
v. Triazine and others nitrogen base compound
Pesticides

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 1. Algaecides: The substances which are used for
the control of Algae.
 2. Avicides: The substances which are used for the
control of Birds.
 3. Virucides: The substances which are used for
the control of viruses.
 4. Bactericides: The substances which are used for
the control of bacteria.
 5. Fungicides: The substances which are used for
the control of Fungi.
 6. Herbicides: The substances which are used for
the control of weeds.
 7. Insecticides: The substances which are used for
the control of insects.
Classification of pesticides

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Effects:
A) Health effect
i) Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is Produced
ii) Leukemia
iii) Prostate cancer
iv) Multiple myeloma and soft tissue sarcoma
B) Acute health problem
i) Abdominal pain
ii) Skin and eye problem
iii) Dizziness
iv) Nausea
v) Vomitting.
Pesticides

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Cigarattes smoke: The air pollution by cigarattes is 10
times greater than diesel car exhaust cigarattes contain
4000 chemicals in which 48% is carcinogenic.
 Sources:
i. Smoke
ii. Tiny particles (about 4000 chemicals packed
into the cigarattes
iii. Additional dangerous product: CO
 Effects:
 1. Cigarettes smoke contain carcinogenic
ingredient such as arsenic tar and CO which
damages the lungs function.
Cigarettes

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 2. Nicotine is the additive component contain in
cigaratte smoke is also a potent stimulant. It raises
blood pressure and increases the heart rate.
 3. In regular smoke, nicotine can lead to
cardiovascular complications such as enlarge heart
arrhythmia and coronary artery diseases.
 4. Cigarettes smoke is interfering with the
production of insulin which is responsible for
allowing blood sugar to enter the body cell.
 5. Cigaratte smoke can causes lung cancer
Cigarettes

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Passive /Involuntary / Second hand smoking:
Breathing other people smoke is called passive /
Involuntary / Second hand smoking.
Effects:
i. Eye irritation
ii. Headaches
iii. Cough
iv. Dizziness
v. Nausea
Those people who regularly inhale other smoke have a 20-
30% greater risk of contracting lung cancer and heart
diseases.
In children Tobacco smoke is especially dangerous for
children. Those who are exposed to basic smoke during
early infancy and childhood has a greater risk of
bronchitis, preumonia and other chest illness.
Cigarettes

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 Heavy Metal Toxicology is the science of study of
toxic metals and their mode of action.
 These are discharged by industries to air water and
soil. They entered into the human food chain from
the environment. Once they enter our biological
system, they disturb the biochemical processes
leading in some cases to fatal results.
Factors affecting toxicity:
 Route a administration e.g. oral, nasal etc.
 ii. Age
 iii. Sex
 iv. Single or multiple dose
 v. Species of the component.
Heavy Metal Toxicology

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 Lead (Pb) is heavy, soft, bluish metal and occurs in
nature in the form of ores. Once Pb is mined,
processed and introduced into the environment, it
is a potential problem forever.
 ‘Lead is a highly toxic substance that is harmful
when it enters the body. This situation is called lead
poisoning. Lead poisoning is preventable and is not
contagious.
Sources:
 1. Burning of fuel in vehicle
 2. Industries where lead is extracted.
 3. Lead pipes.
 4. Tinned food.
 5. Decorated candles, coloured photography, hair
drier, paints etc.
Lead poisoning

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The chemical form of Pb is an important factor
affecting its biological behavior in the body.
1. Lead is a general protoplasmic poison which
accumulates in body and they are slow acting and
stable.
2. Organic lead compounds such as tetraethyl lead
are readily absorbed by the body through the skin or
mucous membranes. This is a serious problem for
occupationally exposed workers whose are involved in
the manufacture of such compounds.
Toxic effect of lead in the body

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3. Inorganic lead is absorbed primarily through the
gastro-intestinal and respiratory tracts and it is the
main source of lead in the body.
4. It obstructs the utilization of O2 and glucose and
hinders the production of energy.
5. The toxic action of lead in the body is the
enzyme inhibition by the Pb2+ ion. The inhibited
enzyme is necessary for the formation of hemoglobin.
The inhibition is a result of a strong interaction
between Pb2+ and the sulfur groups of some amino
acids of the enzyme.
Continued

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6. The lead retained in the body from both air and
dietary source accumulates predominantly in the
skeleton . It’s accumulation cause loss of weight,
loss of teeth, constipation etc.
7. An unpleasant aspect of bone accumulated lead
is that it may be remobilized and sent to other parts of
the body long after the initial absorption. This
remobilized can occur during feverish illness as a
result of cortisone treatment and as a result of old age.
Because the determination of lead in bones in difficult,
the concentration of lead in blood or urine is
commonly used as indication of total lead in the body.
Continued

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1. Since the major source of Pb pollution in air is
automobile exhaust, so measure should be taken to
stop Pb secretion from this source.
2. Another major problem is the industry.
Solutions to these problems include education
programs directed at the hazards of industry, strict
housing codes to prevent occupancy of hazardous
dwellings and better enforcement of existing safety
standards directed at industry.
Solution/Control of Pb Poisoning

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1. Moderate lead poisoning may cause GIT
symptom such as constipation, diarrhea, loss of
appetite.
2. At high doses, abdominal pain may occur.
3. Nervous system: The developing CNS of foetus
is the most sensitive target organ for Pb toxic effect. It
may produce in adults.
a. Irritability
b. Fatigue
c. Anorexia
d. Sleep disturbance
e. Headache etc.
Symptoms of Pb-poisoning/Pharmacological action of Pb

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1. Inorganic lead poisoning: Inorganic lead poisoning
can be cured by treatment with chelating agents
which strongly bind with Ph2+.
a. IV infusion of calcium disodium ethyl diamine
tetra acetic acid (CaNa2EDTA) in combination with
dimercaprol.
b. Long term therapy of oral d-penicillamine is used
for expulsion of Pb from bones.
2. Organic lead poisoning: Initial treatment
consist of decontaminating the skin and preventing
further exposure. If high Pb concentration is present
then epidermic chelation maybe used.
Treatment of Pb toxicity in body

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1. Pb has a low melting point.
2. It is a soft malleable metal that is easily formed
into a variety of shapes.
3. The chemical activity of Pb causes a protective
coating to form upon exposure to moist air.
4. Pb has the ability to form alloys with many other
metals.
5. The density of Pb is greater than any other
common metal except gold and mercury.
Properties of Pb

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Source:
1. Some mercury is present in the environment
because it is a naturally occurring element.
2. Electrical and electronic industries in the
manufacture of Hg-vapour, Hg-lamp, fluorescent
tables etc.
3. In the manufacture of vinyl chloride in the
plastic industry
4. Combustion of fossil fuel.
5. Agricultural sources: Organomercurials used as
fungicides for seed dressing.
6. Mercury compounds are dispersed througout
rocks, soil air water and diving organisms by a
complex system of physical, chemical and biological
processes.
Mercury(Hg)

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Manufacture: Nearly all mercury is produced from the
sulfide (HgS) by means of roasting the are in air
HgS + O2  Hg + SO2
Hg is released as a vapour which is condensed, The
other gases are vented into the atmosphere or
collected.
Properties: The chemical and physical properties of
mercury make it an attractive metal for use in
scientific and industrial / applications. These
properties are-
1. It is liquid at room temperature.
2. It’s freezing point is lowest (-39 C)
3. It has the highest volatility of any metal
4. The electrical resistivity is very low which
makes the Hg as a best metallic electrical conductors.
Mercury(Hg)

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5. Many metals dissolve in mercury to form amalgams.
6. The metal and its compounds are toxic to all living
organisms.
Pathways of entering Hg into internal environment:
i. By inhalation of mercurial fungicidal and it is
cause chronic poisoning
ii. By skin penetration of methyl mercuric
ointment. It also causes chronic poisoning.
iii. By ingestion of inorganic mercury preparation.
It causes acute poisoning.
Mercury(Hg)

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Uses:
1. The largest uses are seen to the chlor-alkali
industry which produces, chlorine and caustic soda by
the electrolysis of salt solution.
2. The second greatest use of mercury occurs in
the production of electrical apparatus.
3. Other uses include in the electrical switches
used in the home and mercury batteries.
4. The use of mercury and it’s compounds as
fungicides constituent the 3rd largest category of
mercury consumption.
5. The paper and pulp industry has also many use
of PMA (Phenyl Mercuric Acetate) to prevent the
growth of slime on wet paper pulp during processing
and storage.
Mercury(Hg)

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6. Agricultural industries use organo-mercury
compound as seed dressing to inhibit the growth of
fungi in agricultural seeds.
7. Elemental or metallic mercury is also used in
thermometer and temperature recording devices
because of long liquid range, uniform and large co-
efficient of thermal expansion and electrical
conductivity.
Organo-mercuric compounds used as seed:
i. Methyl mercury nitrile (CH3-Hg – C=N)
ii. Methyl mercury dicyan diamine (CH3-Hg-NH-
C=NH=NHCN)
iii. Methyl mercury acetate (CH3-Hg-COO-CH3)
iv. Ethyl mercury chloride (C2H5-Hg-Cl)
Mercury(Hg)

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The primary facts determined are:
1. All mercury compounds are toxic to the body
when present in sufficient quantity.
2. Different mercury compounds exhibit
somewhat different characters of toxicity,
distribution, accumulation and retention in the
body.
3. Certain biological transformation may take
place in the environment or the body which
change mercury compounds of one types into
other types.
Toxic/Detrimental effect of Hg in the body:

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31
4. Mercury binds tightly with sulphur containing groups
in molecules which are present in both enzyme and cell
walls such binding inactivates enzymes and upsets
chemical reactions which they catalyze in the body. The
membrane properties of cell walls are disrupted by the
binding of mercury and normal cellular activities are
inhibited.
5. Mercury vapour is quite/toxic when inhaled. It has
great capacity for diffusion through the lungs into the
blood and then into the brain in which they stored and
lead to serious damage.

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1. Inorganic mercury tends to accumulate in liver
and kidney tissue. This causes damage but also
provides a means for rapid elimination through the
urinary system.
2. Upon introduction into the body arylmercurials
appear to break down readily into inorganic
mercury compounds and behave as indicated
above. The compound PMA behaves this way.
3. Alkylmercurials represent the greatest health
hazard for a no of reasons:
a) As they diffuse easily through biological
membrane so they easily penetrate into and
accumulate in brain tissue.
Toxic effect of Hg-compound in the body

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33
b) They exhibit long retention times in the body. As a
result the Hg concentration rises even though dosage may
be low.
Symptoms:
Acute-Hg-poisoning
1. Severe GIT irritation
2. Cardiorascular collapse
3. Aneurysm
4. Renal impairment
5. Weakness
6. Headache
7. Insomnia

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Chronic Hg poisoning
1. Neurologic manifestation such as tremor,
psychosis
2. Mercurial lentis
3. Gingivitis
4. Progressive renal damage
5. Muscle atrophy
Treatment of Hg-poisoning
1. Try to vomiting if enters into body
2. As soon-as Hg intoxication is suspected, IM
injection of dimercaprol or penicillamine is given to
chelate the Hg and accelerate its excretion.
3. Chronic mercury poisoning can be treated by
removing patient from exposure area.
Toxic/Detrimental effect of Hg in the body:

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1. The chlor alkali industry is the largest industrial
user of mercury. Theoretically, no mercury is
consumed during the process of producing Cl2 or
caustic soda. Some is lost to the products, some leaves
with effluent water and some is lost through air
ventilation system.
2. The paper and pulp industry use PMA to prevent
the growth of slime on wet paper pulp during
processing and storage. The incineration of these
paper produce PMA which is a possible source of
airborne mercury pollution because trace amounts
of mercury remain in such paper.
3. Commercial laundries particularly those with a
diaper service, use PMA to suppress mold.
Source of Hg pollution

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4. Mercury compounds are used in seed dressings in
agriculture. The amount of mercury in the seed
dressing formulation is small but the effect is large
because the seed dressing is applied to a large
volume of seed that is subsequently sowed over
millions of acres, which results in an extremely
wide spread dissemination of the mercury
compounds.
5. Some mercury is released in the combination of
coal and petroleum products.
6. Sludge from sewage plants also contain enough
mercury, in some cases which make it unsuitable for
use as a soil fertility.
Source of Hg pollution

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 Arsenic condition is a medical condition caused by
elevated levels of arsenic in the body. The dominant
basis of arsenic poisoning is from ground water
that naturally contains high concentration of
arsenic.
 The recommended limit of arsenic in drinking
water is 0.01 mg/L.
 The recommended forms of arsenic, such as arsenic
trioxide found in drinking water are much more
poisonous than the organic forms.
 Body organs that are usually affected by arsenic
poisoning include skin, lungs, kidneys and liver.
Arsenic poisoning

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 Headaches
 Confusion
 Drowsiness
 Severe diarrhoea
 Pallor
 Rashes
 Swelling
 Diarrhoea
 Vomiting
 Cramping muscles
 Convulsions
 Stomach pain
 Hair loss
 Blood in the urine (Hematuria)
 Breath that smells like garlic.
Signs and Symptoms of Arsenic pollution

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 Ground water
 Arsenic containing mineral ores
 Industrial processes
 Semiconductor manufacturing(Gallium arsenide)
 -Fossil fuels
 -Wood treated with arsenic preservatives
 Metallurgy
 -Smelting( Cu, Zn, Pb) and refining of metals and
ores.
 -Gloss manufacturing
 -Commercial products such as Wood preservatives,
Pesticides, Herbicides, Fungicides
 Food( Seafood and fish)
 Others, Antiparasitic drugs, Folk remedies
Source of Arsenic pollution

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The following measures can help to protect people
from arsenic that gets into groundwater:
 Households having arsenic removal systems this is
a short terms solution that can be adopted until the
arsenic contamination can be dealt with at the
source.
 Testing the water for traces of arsenic.
 Taking care when harvesting rainwater-in areas
where there is high rainfall, arsenic poisoning can
be prevented by ensuring the process of collection
is acceptable.
 The water should not put at risk of infection or
cause to become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Prevention of As-poisoning

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 Well depth-the deeper a well is dug, the less arsenic
in water is likely to have.
 A significant factor of prevention is making people
a ware of the risks. This can be done by educating
populations and workforces about the harmful
effects of arsenic poisoning and how it can be
avoided.
 Another important preventative measure is to have
enough health care staff to check people at risk for
the early signs of arsenic poisoning.
Prevention of As-poisoning

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 Chelation: Chemical and synthetic methods are
used to treat arsenic poisoning. Dimercaprol and
dimercaptosuccinic acid are chelating agents that
sequester the arsenic away from blood proteins and
are used in treating acute arsenic poisoning.
 Mineral supplements: Supplemental potassium
decreases the risk of life-threatening heart rhythm
problem from arsenic trioxide.
 3. Nutritional intervention: Sulfur containing
substances in garlic scavenge arsenic from tissues
and blood. Concludes that people in areas at risk of
arsenic contamination in the water supply should
eat garlic per day as a preventative.
Treatment of As-poisoning

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 Removing contaminated clothes and washing
and rinsing skin thoroughly.
 Blood transfusions.
 Bowel irrigation- Passing large quantities of
polyethylene solution through the GI tract to
flush out arsenic.
 Supportive treatment for complications like
heart failure and seizures.
Treatment of As-poisoning

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Diagnosis of arsenic poisoning over a year can be
measured by studying samples of blood, hair, urine
and fingernail. Urine tests within a day or two after
exposure can help to analyze poisoning at the initial
stage.
 In areas and occupations where there is a risk of
arsenic poisoning, it is important to monitor the
levels of arsenic in the people at risk, by taking
blood, hair, urine and fingernail samples. So we can
say that, Arsenic poisoning can be detected by
diagnostically.
Diagnostic test for As-poisoning

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 We can detect arsenic poisoning diagnostically by
the following tests:
 Tests in urine and blood: Urine tests would have to
be carried out within 1-2 days of the initial
exposure for making it an accurate indicator of
when the arsenic poisoning occurred. The urine test
is the most reliable test for arsenic exposure within
the last few days. Urine testing needs to be done
within 24-48 hrs for an accurate analysis of an
acute exposure. These tests can also be used to help
diagnose cases where symptoms of arsenic
poisoning are apparent. Tests are available to
diagnosis poisoning by measuring arsenic in blood.
Diagnostic test for As-poisoning

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 Test in hair and fingernails: To determine the level
of arsenic exposure over a period of up to 12
months, tests on hair and fingernails can be
performed. Although these tests can give an
accurate indication of arsenic exposure levels, they
do not indicate what effects they will have on the
patient’s health. Hair is a potential bioindicator for
arsenic exposure due to it’s ability to store trace
elements from blood. Incorporated elements
maintain their position during growth of hair. Thus
for a temporal estimation of exposure, an assay of
hair composition needs to be carried out with a
single hair which is not possible with older
techniques requiring homogenization and
dissolution of several strands of hair.
Diagnostic test for As-poisoning

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This type of biomonitoring has been achieved with
newer micro analytical techniques like synchroton-
radiation based X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and
Micro-particle induced X-ray emission.
Diagnostic test for As-poisoning

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 Half life of inorganic arsenic in the blood is 10 hrs
and of organic arsenic is around 30 hrs.

 2-4 weeks after the exposure ceases, most of the
remaining arsenic in the body is found in keratin-
rich tissues nails, hair, skin.
 Inorganic arsenic is converted to organic arsenic in
the liver. This may represent a process off
detoxification.
 30-50% of inorganic arsenic is excreted in about 3
days. Both forms are excreted depend on the
acuteness of the exposure and dose.
Toxicokinetics of As-poisoning

49. 49
Trivalent forms:
 bind to sulfahydryl groups leading to inhibition of
enzymatic systems.
 inhibit the kreb’s cycle and oxidative
phosporylation. These lead to inhibition of ATP
production.
 Pentavalent forms:
 can replace the stable phosphate ester bond in ATP
and produce an arsenic ester stable bond.
 Endothelial damage loss of capillary integrity,
capillary leakage.
Patho-physiology of As-poisoning

50. THANKS TO ALL
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