Key result
Low-to-moderate arsenic exposure is linked to increased risks of hypertension, neurological dysfunction, and mortality.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
The contamination of groundwater by arsenic in Bangladesh is a major public health concern affecting 35-75 million people. Although it is evident that high levels (>300 microg/L) of arsenic exposure from drinking water are related to adverse health outcomes, health effects of arsenic exposure at low-to-moderate levels (10-300 microg/L) are not well understood. We established the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study (HEALS) with more than 20,000 men and women in Araihazar, Bangladesh, to prospectively investigate the health effects of arsenic predominantly at low-to-moderate levels (0.1 to 864 microg/L, mean 99 microg/L) of arsenic exposure. Findings to date suggest adverse effects of low-to-moderate levels of arsenic exposure on the risk of pre-malignant skin lesions, high blood pressure, neurological dysfunctions, and all-cause and chronic disease mortality. In addition, the data also indicate that the risk of skin lesion due to arsenic exposure is modifiable by nutritional factors, such as folate and selenium status, lifestyle factors, including cigarette smoking and body mass index, and genetic polymorphisms in genes related to arsenic metabolism. The analyses of biomarkers for respiratory and cardiovascular functions support that there may be adverse effects of arsenic on these outcomes and call for confirmation in large studies. A unique strength of the HEALS is the availability of outcome data collected prospectively and data on detailed individual-level arsenic exposure estimated using water, blood and repeated urine samples. Future prospective analyses of clinical endpoints and related host susceptibility will enhance our knowledge on the health effects of low-to-moderate levels of arsenic exposure, elucidate disease mechanisms, and give directions for prevention.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Chen et al. (2009) conducted a review in Arsenic exposure from contaminated drinking water (n=20,000). Low-to-moderate arsenic exposure in drinking water (0.1 to 864 microg/L, mean 99 microg/L) was evaluated on Pre-malignant skin lesions, high blood pressure, neurological dysfunctions, all-cause and chronic disease mortality, and respiratory and cardiovascular biomarkers. Low-to-moderate arsenic exposure (mean 99 microg/L) in >20,000 adults was associated with increased risks of pre-malignant skin lesions, high blood pressure, neurological dysfunction, and mortality.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: