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Dieren en planten

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Heavy metals   Arsenic   

Arsenic

Arsenic has been known to be poisonous for centuries. It is a heavy metal. The inorganic arsenic compounds are extremely toxic, and are used in cases such as rat poison. Arsenic compounds are used in the production of copper, lead, zinc, steel and iron, as well as in agriculture. Its usage as a pesticide in agriculture and as wood preservative ('Wolman salt') is one of the major contributions to its dispersion in the environment. In the Netherlands alone, these two applications accounted for around 100 tons of inorganic arsenic compounds in 1984.

  • Ban

    Since around 2004 in the Netherlands, it is forbidden to use impregnating agents containing arsenic to protect garden wood.
    Arsenic effects fish and amphibians by increasing the chance in changes in hereditary material, and could cause an unnaturally high death rate among birds.

  • Ban

    Since around 2004 in the Netherlands, it is forbidden to use impregnating agents containing arsenic to protect garden wood.
    Arsenic effects fish and amphibians by increasing the chance in changes in hereditary material, and could cause an unnaturally high death rate among birds.