( FDA ) - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to drink certain brands of mineral water imported from Armenia due to the risk of exposure to arsenic, a toxic substance and known cause of cancer in humans.
Symptoms of acute arsenic exposure usually occur within several hours of consumption.
The most likely effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Over the period of a few days to weeks, the kidneys, liver, skin, and cardiovascular and nervous systems could be affected. Extended exposure could lead to cancer and death.
FDA sampled 500 milliliter (mL) green glass bottles and detected the problem. FDA is investigating whether other sizes or packaging are involved.
FDA testing of this water revealed 500 - 600 micrograms of arsenic per liter. FDA's standard of quality bottled water allows no more than 10 micrograms per liter.
There have been no illnesses reported at this time. Consumers who drank this water and have concerns are encouraged to contact their health care provider.
FDA will continue working to remove all such bottled water products from the marketplace. FDA may provide additional updates as more information becomes available.
Dobbins said that among the lessons learned from Afghanistan, it is that Iran can make or break the situation.
``If we can't get Iranian help in stabilizing the situation, it's not going to get stabilized,'' he said. ``In the end, the only country with significant influence and capacity for good and evil is Iran.''