Steph Coelho is a freelance health writer, web producer, and editor based in Montreal. She specializes in covering general wellness and chronic illness.

Michael Menna, DO, is a board-certified, active attending emergency medicine physician at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York.

Arsenic poisoning is a type of heavy metal poisoning. Arsenic is a metalloid element found naturally in the environment. Poisoning occurs when a person ingests too much arsenic. This can happen through the contamination of food and water. You can also be exposed to arsenic in the air in the form of a gas.  

Because arsenic has no odor or taste, it is impossible to detect. However, arsenic poisoning symptoms may be a clue that someone has been exposed.

There are two types of arsenic:

Arsenic poisoning can be acute or chronic. If you’re exposed to high levels of arsenic all at once, you’ll typically experience symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. 

Symptoms of acute poisoning include:

Without treatment, your cardiovascular and central nervous systems will begin to shut down, and death will occur within a few hours.

You can also be exposed to small amounts of arsenic over a long period. Symptoms of chronic exposure include:

Other potential long-term effects include:

While symptoms of acute arsenic poisoning usually happen within an hour, symptoms of chronic exposure can take up to eight weeks to present themselves.

You can be exposed to arsenic in various ways, including through:

This substance is highly regulated because of toxicity and adverse effects linked to arsenic exposure. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits arsenic levels to 10 micrograms per liter of U.S. drinking water. The limit for foods is specific to those that typically contain higher levels of arsenic, such as rice cereal (100 parts per billion).

Because symptoms aren’t always the same in everyone, it can be difficult for a healthcare professional to diagnose arsenic from a physical examination and medical history alone. Symptoms of chronic exposure may also be more vague and difficult to identify.

Testing for arsenic can be done using:

You can limit your exposure to arsenic by:

Keep in mind that most household water filters don’t remove arsenic from drinking water.

There’s no specific treatment for arsenic poisoning. However, chelation therapy may help in some cases.

This treatment involves injecting or ingesting a chelating agent. Once in your bloodstream, it combines with the toxic arsenic and helps expel it from the body. Chelating agents aren’t always recommended because they have adverse effects and aren’t helpful for chronic arsenic exposure.

Otherwise, treatment aims to manage symptoms. For example, a doctor might treat you with intravenous (IV, infused into a vein) hydration to counteract the effects of severe diarrhea.

Arsenic is a heavy metal that occurs naturally. Ingesting or breathing in too much of it can cause harmful effects. Poisoning can be chronic (over a long time) or acute (a sudden onset).

Because arsenic is challenging to detect without testing, you may not know you’ve been exposed. Diagnosis involves various lab tests that check for arsenic. Treatment aims at managing symptoms. 

If you suspect you’ve been exposed to arsenic, it’s essential to see a doctor for treatment. If the source of arsenic is known, it’s also vital to avoid further exposing yourself to the substance. 

While arsenic can’t be detected because it has no smell or taste, you can avoid exposing yourself by finding out about levels in your water supply or getting your private water supply tested.

If you work somewhere where arsenic exposure is possible, ask about safety regulations in place to minimize chronic arsenic exposure. 

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American Cancer Society. Arsenic and cancer risk.

National Organization for Rare Disorders. Heavy metal poisoning.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. How should patients overexposed to arsenic be treated and managed?

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