The Analysis of the Arsenic Health Effects - Research Paper Example

This is due to the formation of arsenite, an arsenic metabolite that forms within 24 hours of ingestion. The toxic arsenite mechanism creates increased calcium ion levels between neurons, which causes the transmembrane potential of the mitochondria to reduce, which brings about the cell's death as an eventuality due to caspases (CDC, 2011).

Many drugs may manifest cardiovascular effects in the form of changes in blood pressure and heart rate (Kacew & Lee, B. 2013). However, the ingestion of some of these substances in significant amounts may result in them having toxic characteristics for the cardiovascular system. Digoxin is one such compound. This is a form of cardiac glycoside purified after extraction from the foxglove plant. The compound is used in the treatment of heart diseases in regulated amounts. However, acute overdosage results in the development of marked bradycardia with the prolongation of the QRS and PR (Thanacoody & Waring, 2008). The compound's toxicity is similar to arsenic as it affects calcium concentrations in cells. The compound introduction to the cardiovascular system in vast quantities results in conducting and myocardial tissues’ inhibition of the ATPase pump of Na+/K+ (Thanacoody & Waring, 2008). This property leads to a reduction in the intracellular efflux of calcium through the exchange mechanisms of Na+/Ca2+. The effect is an increase in intracellular calcium concentrations. That manifests as marked bradycardia (Thanacoody & Waring, 2008). It is also associated with sinus arrests and haemodynamic instability due to varying atrioventricular block degrees.

Cadmium is also a toxic substance to the body. However, its toxicity has to do with the endocrine system. The endocrine system is the system of glands and organs that secrete hormones that regulate the body’s homeostasis. Cadmium is a heavy metal sourced from aerosols, mines, water wastes and phosphate-based fertilizers (Georgescu et al., 2011). Like arsenic, the compound is found in air, water and soil, with documentation showing the compound concentrations peak at 0.003mg Cd/m3 in industrial areas. We usually are in environments that contain cadmium at low levels. However, the metal’s toxic properties are not exhibited when it is found in the body in small amounts. The metal accumulation in the body over around 20 years results in it being metabolized (Georgescu et al., 2011).

This causes the metal to settle in various organs in the body like the kidney, liver, hair and blood. Although the metal is found in higher concentrations among males, when it settles in the hormone-secreting organs, it inhibits the working of the organs resulting in low levels of the homeostasis regulating hormones (Georgescu et al., 2011). The effect is that the body cannot carry out activities necessary to remove wastes and toxins from the body, leading to the death of cells, organ failure and eventually death. The metal also results in the development of cancer cells in organs where it has accumulated (Georgescu et al., 2011).