Ring of Fire (Freespeech TV, Monday April 25th, DirecTV channel 348) broadcast a sit down interview with the lead lawyer Mike Burg on the first case to be tried under Prop 65, the law that requires labeling of toxics in California. The judge dismissed the case because he did not understand the complexities of the law and wanted a higher court to rule on appeal. The wine industry has fought for years to avoid labeling the additives that go into wine production. The interview exposes that winemakers are using inorganic arsenic (the worst form) to flavor, make the smell better and the color prettier in wine. Most of the high levels were in cheaper wine. They found over 83 samples had toxic levels of arsenic and a by product of the study, high levels of lead were also found. Arsenic cannot be detoxed, bio accumulates in our bodies and is a known carcinogen.According to WHO (World Health Organization) : http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs372/en/
Long-term effects
The first symptoms of long-term exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic (e.g. through drinking-water and food) are usually observed in the skin, and include pigmentation changes, skin lesions and hard patches on the palms and soles of the feet (hyperkeratosis). These occur after a minimum exposure of approximately five years and may be a precursor to skin cancer.
In addition to skin cancer, long-term exposure to arsenic may also cause cancers of the bladder and lungs. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified arsenic and arsenic compounds as carcinogenic to humans, and has also stated that arsenic in drinking-water is carcinogenic to humans.
Other adverse health effects that may be associated with long-term ingestion of inorganic arsenic include developmental effects, neurotoxicity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.