Arsenic: High Doses in Food or Water Will Kill You

Arsenic is a natural substance, and its place is on the periodic table as a heavy metal along with elements like lead or cadmium. Its toxic properties have long been known. Arsenical poisoning was the topic of many mysteries from classic writers like Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers – and also the subject of many famous murder trials dating back at least to Victorian England.

What many people do not realize, however, is that arsenic also has many commercial uses. It is used in industry and big agri-business and can wind up in many products like rice, conventionally raised poultry, farmed …read more