Medical Surveillance

Arsenic Surveillance

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element used in mining, the development of pesticides, electronics, glass and paint manufacturing. Over exposure can lead to multi-organ failure.

How is the test performed?

Blood test and Arsenic Total Random Urine

- How to Order? -

Setting up onsite medical surveillance is fast and easy. Contact us for details

When will I get my results?

Results are provided to the occupational health physician or occupational health nurse. Most results are reported within 7-10 business days of sample collection.

About Arsenic Surveillance

Substance overview

Arsenic is an element mainly in soils, rock types and fossil fuels. Arsenic salts are used as pesticides, wood preservatives for glass manufacturing, in alloys, electronics, paint pigment, and in the manufacture of dyestuffs.

Actual hazard of overexposure

Exposure to arsenic may result in multi-organ failure. The primary target organs are gastrointestinal tract, the heart, brain and kidneys. The skin, bone marrow and peripheral nervous system may be affected as well.

Who is at risk for exposure

Arsenic is a designated substance for surveillance in several provinces. Regulations apply to every employer and worker at a workplace where arsenic is produced, processed, used, handled, or stored or is a waste product or by-product of a process and at which a worker is likely to inhale, ingest, absorb or come into contact with arsenic. Industrial and agricultural sources of arsenic include:

mining activities
smelters
coal and coal-combustion
pesticides

Clinical tests available to monitor

Blood test and Arsenic Total Random Urine.

When testing is done

Arsenic testing is often done at the same time as testing lead and mercury.