How dangerous is it to consume fish sauce containing arsenic?

Consuming fish sauce containing arsenic can lead to long-term accumulation of arsenic in the body, potentially causing poisoning, illness, cancer, and even death.

Illustrative image.

According to Associate Professor NNguyen Duy Thinh, Institute of Food Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, if the data125 out of 150 bottled fish sauce samples had at least one of the five chemical indicators surveyed that did not meet the standards or stated on the label. In particular, the arsenic content (also known as arsenite) was significantly higher than the regulated limit in most samples.To be precise, consumers will experience numerous health problems when consuming this type of fish sauce.

Arsenic is a colorless, odorless metal that is notoriously toxic and exists in many allotropic forms. Arsenic and its compounds are used as pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, etc.Arsenic poisoning is a chronic disease caused by consuming drinking water contaminated with arsenic.at high concentrations over a long period of timei. Effects include changes in skin color, formation of hardened patches on the skin, skin cancer, lung cancer, kidney and bladder cancer... and can also lead to necrosis. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a limit of 0.01 mg/L for arsenic in drinking water; long-term absorption of large amounts of arsenic can lead to poisoning.

Arsenic poisoning has two forms: acute and chronic.

- Acute poisoning: Symptoms resemble cholera, appearing very quickly, possibly immediately after ingestion. Patients experience vomiting, abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, intense thirst, weak pulse, pale then bluish face, urinary retention, and death within 24 hours.

- Chronic poisoningh: This form occurs due to the accumulation of small doses of arsenic over a long period. Symptoms include a grayish complexion, hair loss, gastritis, enteritis, eye pain, unsteadiness, etc. Arsenic is detected in the urine, the person becomes emaciated, exhausted, and dies within a few months or years.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong, Director of the Food Safety Department, Ministry of Health, stated that they will conduct an inspection to verify the results of the fish sauce survey and take action to protect consumer health.

According to VNE