Arsenic‐eaters: by accident or by design

In late June 2008 over 70 people gathered at the Douglas Hotel in Aberdeen, Scotland to discuss the metabolism and chemical speciation of arsenic (As). For the participants originating closer to the equator, the surprising midnight blue skies were certainly a treat, particularly when leaving the pub around midnight after some ‘off-site’ scientific discussion. But putting aside the pleasures of Aberdeen in early summer, what is so interesting about arsenic that would persuade over 70 people to spend 2 days discussing it? Well there are many interesting aspects of arsenic biogeochemistry, some better known than others. For example, numerous reports exist in the literature of arsenic being consumed for medical reasons, the most extreme of which are the ‘arsenic-eaters’ from…