How are people exposed to arsenic?
Arsenic occurs naturally in the environment, as well as being present in some man-made products. We normally take in small amounts in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. Most arsenic compounds have no smell or taste, so usually you can’t tell if arsenic is in your air, food, or water.
People can also be exposed to higher levels of arsenic in some other ways. Very high doses have been used in murder or suicide attempts. Some jobs may expose workers to high levels over long periods of time when they breathe in or swallow dust that contains arsenic compounds, but such exposures are now rare in the United States.
People who live near current or former industrial or agricultural sources of arsenic can be exposed to higher levels by inhaling fumes or eating contaminated food. People can also take in higher levels of arsenic if they live in areas where arsenic levels are naturally high in the drinking water or if they eat a lot of rice or seafood (although the organic form found in seafood is likely to be much less harmful).