Contaminated Earth

Contaminated Earth

Fatigued muscles cut

arsenic skins peeled backwards

Can I trust this ground?

– Arsenic is naturally present at high levels in the groundwater of a number of countries.
– Arsenic is highly toxic in its inorganic form.
– Contaminated water used for drinking, food preparation and irrigation of food crops poses the greatest threat to public health from arsenic.
– Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking-water and food can cause cancer and skin lesions. It has also been associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In utero and early childhood exposure has been linked to negative impacts on cognitive development and increased deaths in young adults.
– The most important action in affected communities is the prevention of further exposure to arsenic by provision of a safe water supply.

Arsenic is also associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and infant mortality, with impacts on child health (1), and exposure in utero and in early childhood has been linked to increases in mortality in young adults due to multiple cancers, lung disease, heart attacks, and kidney failure (2). Numerous studies have demonstrated negative impacts of arsenic exposure on cognitive development, intelligence, and memory (3).

This map image provides information about soil arsenic (As) in Miami-Dade County, Florida, including basics, background concentrations, cleanup guidelines of soil As, and bioavailability of soil As related to plant and human health. (2)

Image marks the location of the historic Dorsey Library in Overtown, Miami. Dana Albert (D.A.) Dorsey, became Miami’s first African-American millionaire and major land owner. In 1940, he donated the land for the library just days before his death. The building was used as a library for a few years, then became a community center before falling into disrepair. Neglected by the city for more than 25 years, it was recently saved in 2019.