Sources and Control Strategies of Arsenic in the Atmosphere

Authors

  • Qingyang Liu

    College of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i7.9955
Received: 11 May 2025 | Revised: 4 June 2025 | Accepted: 9 June 2025 | Published Online: 3 July 2025

Abstract

Arsenic (As), classified as a Group I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), poses severe risks to ecosystems and human health through atmospheric exposure. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the sources, health impacts, and control strategies of atmospheric arsenic, with an emphasis on its global transport and toxicity. Natural sources, such as volcanic eruptions and soil erosion, contribute approximately 2.1 Gg/year; however, anthropogenic activities, notably metal smelting and coal combustion, dominate emissions, with global anthropogenic releases reaching approximately 28.6 Gg/year. Atmospheric arsenic primarily exists in two forms: particulate matter (PM₂.₅-bound As(V)/As(III) and methylated species) and gaseous forms (e.g., AsH₃, As₂O₃), facilitating long-range transport and cross-continental pollution, as evidenced by Asian emissions contributing 39% of Arctic deposition. Advanced techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and models like GEOS-Chem, enhance emission tracking; however, gaps persist in monitoring gaseous arsenic and refining emission inventories. Health risks include lung cancer, neurotoxicity, and cardiovascular diseases, exacerbated by inhalation and dietary exposure via contaminated crops. Control technologies, including calcium- and iron-based adsorbents and industrial scrubbers, show promise but face challenges related to efficiency and cost. Regional strategies, such as China’s tightened emission limits (0.5 mg/m³) and the EU’s Best Available Techniques (BAT), highlight progress, yet global cooperation remains vital for transboundary mitigation. Future research should prioritize low-cost sensors, elucidating speciation-toxicity relationships, and AI-driven emission management to address data gaps and optimize policies. Integrating multidisciplinary approaches—advanced science, stringent regulations, and international collaboration—is crucial to mitigate the environmental and public health impacts of arsenic amid growing industrialization and climate change. 

Keywords:

Atmospheric Arsenic; Anthropogenic Emissions; Health Risks; Control Technologies; Global Transport

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How to Cite

Liu, Q. (2025). Sources and Control Strategies of Arsenic in the Atmosphere. Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, 7(7), 209–226. https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i7.9955

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 7 (July 2025): In Progress

Article Type

Review (This article belongs to the Topical Collection "Monitoring and Control of Urban Environmental Pollution")

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Copyright © 2025 Qingyang Liu

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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