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Remediation Technologies For Arsenic Contamination Thesis

It is a known cancer-causing agent, and can be ingested through food that has been grown in contaminated soil, and can also be absorbed through the skin. If small amounts are absorbed over a period of time, it can result in chronic arsenic poisoning. This poisoning can produce: nausea, headaches, changes in skin colorization, scaling of the skin, anorexia, and white lines across the fingernails. If large amounts of arsenic are consumed, this can lead to vomiting and renal failure, and even death, as noted by McAndrew, in 1999. Franzblau and Lilis go beyond McAndrews' 1999 description of arsenic poisoning. They show chronic arsenic poisoning as resulting in nonmalignant cutaneous changes, as McAndrews notes, including hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratoses, as well as renal toxicity; however, it also has been known to cause skin cancers, 'Blackfoot disease' - a disease of arsenic-induced peripheral vascular insufficiency that leads to gangrene, hepatic toxicity, peripheral neuropathy, and hermatopoietic toxicity.

Franzblau and Lilith state that much of the classic description of arsenic poisoning comes from suicidal or homicidal ingestion. In addition to McAndrews' 1999 description of symptoms, ingestion can also lead to abdominal cramps, and diarrhea that may be bloody. The researchers further specify that ingestion of water containing less than 1,000 ?g/l of arsenic, over several years, can lead to poisoning.

Myoung-Jin and Yejin concur with McAndrew's 1999 findings that much arsenic contamination comes from mine tailings. These researchers used the Jingok mine in Bongwha, Korea for their study regarding the vertical distribution of arsenic and heavy metals, through leeching into the ground and ground water. Nearby paddy fields were found to have an extremely high concentration of arsenic, and as testing was conducted at increased distances from the mine site, the levels fell dramatically.

These findings are similar to those found in the Deloro mine site, with arsenic contamination occurring beyond the mine site itself, as far away as Moira Lake.

McAndrew's 1999 findings of the method of contamination of Deloro specifically through the arsenic-containing...

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More than 50 years earlier there were plans of remediation; however, these were not completed. Testing in the late 1980s showed that the arsenic contamination went far beyond the mine site itself, and was poisoning the residents of Deloro, as well as impacting Moira Lake. Understanding that arsenic contamination can occur through both leeched arsenic and dust coming from smelters and tailing piles, and knowing the dangers of arsenic poisoning, it is surprising that the government didn't take action sooner.
References

Franzblau, a. & Lilis, R. "Acute Arsenic Intoxication from Environmental Arsenic Exposure." Archives of Environmental Health 44(6) Nov/Dec 1989. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOHost. University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ. November 26, 2007 http://web.ebscohost.com.

McAndrew, B. "Ministry Kept Town in Dark Over Arsenic, Group Says." Toronto Star (11 Jun 1999). November 26, 2007 http://www.e-b-i.net/ebi/Deloro/articles/del990611.html.

Residents Plan to Sue Over Arsenic." Toronto Star. (7 Feb 2000). November 26, 2007 http://www.e-b-i.net/ebi/Deloro/articles/del000207.html.

Myoung-Jin, K. & Yejin, J. "Vertical Distribution and Mobility of Arsenic and Heavy Metals in and Around Mine Tailings of an Abandoned Mine." Journal of Environmental Science & Health 39(1) Jan 2004: pp. 203-222. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOHost. University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ. November 26, 2007 http://web.ebscohost.com.

Yanafisawa, S. "Old Mine Centre of Legal Action." The Kingston-Whig Standard (15 Feb 2000). November 26, 2007 http://www.e-b-i.net/ebi/Deloro/articles/del000215.html.

Sources used in this document:
References

Franzblau, a. & Lilis, R. "Acute Arsenic Intoxication from Environmental Arsenic Exposure." Archives of Environmental Health 44(6) Nov/Dec 1989. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOHost. University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ. November 26, 2007 http://web.ebscohost.com.

McAndrew, B. "Ministry Kept Town in Dark Over Arsenic, Group Says." Toronto Star (11 Jun 1999). November 26, 2007 http://www.e-b-i.net/ebi/Deloro/articles/del990611.html.

Residents Plan to Sue Over Arsenic." Toronto Star. (7 Feb 2000). November 26, 2007 http://www.e-b-i.net/ebi/Deloro/articles/del000207.html.

Myoung-Jin, K. & Yejin, J. "Vertical Distribution and Mobility of Arsenic and Heavy Metals in and Around Mine Tailings of an Abandoned Mine." Journal of Environmental Science & Health 39(1) Jan 2004: pp. 203-222. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOHost. University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ. November 26, 2007 http://web.ebscohost.com.
Yanafisawa, S. "Old Mine Centre of Legal Action." The Kingston-Whig Standard (15 Feb 2000). November 26, 2007 http://www.e-b-i.net/ebi/Deloro/articles/del000215.html.
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