Background
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, soil and the waters that contact them.
The amount of arsenic in the environment is increased by weathering rocks, burning fossil fuels,
smelting ores, manufacture of semiconductors, the use of wood preservatives and pesticides. It
is often found on decks and other household items made with pressurized wood that has been
treated with an arsenic containing preservative.
Toxic Hazards of Arsenic
Arsenic is a toxic element and has been associated with many health problems. Health hazards
from long-term exposure include skin lesions, keratosis (a hardening of the skin), lung cancer
and bladder cancer. To detect arsenic in water use ArsenicCheck , (Cat. No. 3AS6) a test kit
from HybriVet Systems.
Detection of Arsenic on Surfaces
The same test kit can be easily adapted for the detection of arsenic on surfaces. Using a baby
wipe approximately 5" (12 cm) by 7" (18 cm), wipe approximately one square foot of the surface
to be tested for about 1 minute. Place the cloth into the arsenic test bottle and add 50 ml of
water. Add the reagents used to carry out the arsenic in water test: the bottle of powder
(reagent 1) and the bottle of liquid (reagent 2). Place the reaction cap on the bottle and
swirl the bottle gently. Open the bottle and look at the reaction pad in the cap after thirty
minutes. If the pad turns either yellow or brown, arsenic is present and available on the
surface tested.