Arsenic in drinking water may have one of the longest dormancy periods of any carcinogen. By tracking the mortality rates of people exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water in a region in Chile, the researchers provide evidence of increases in lung, bladder, and kidney cancer even 40 years after high arsenic exposures ended.
Inorganic arsenic is naturally present at high levels in the groundwater of many countries, creating an important public health issue affecting millions of people. Severe health effects have been observed in populations drinking arsenic-contaminated water over long periods, and research has established that drinking water contaminated with arsenic causes skin cancer and several internal cancers such as lung, bladder, and kidney cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and other adverse outcomes.
Arsenic Poisoning
Arsenic poisoning also known as arsenicosis occurs when a person's body contains greater than normal levels of arsenic, a semi-metallic element.
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‘Water contaminated with arsenic can cause lung, bladder and kidney cancer 10 years after exposure and the risk can prolong for 40 years.’
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The water source in Antofagasta, a city in northern Chile, experienced a sudden major increase in arsenic water concentrations in 1958, followed by a major reduction in exposure when an arsenic removal plant was installed in 1970.
As the driest inhabited place on earth, everyone living in Antofagasta within this time period had to drink from city water sources with known arsenic concentrations, thus exposing inhabitants to high concentrations of arsenic.
![Soak and Cook Rice To Stay Away From The Dangers of Arsenic]( "Soak and Cook Rice To Stay Away From The Dangers of Arsenic")
Arsenic exposure has been associated with several health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Identifying a clear relationship between arsenic exposure and cancer mortality rates, the study found that lung, bladder, and kidney cancer mortality rates started to increase about 10 years after the high exposures commenced and did not peak until at least 20 years after exposure reduction began. For both men and women, mortality rates for these types of cancer remained high up to 40 years after the highest exposure stopped.
Although the researchers plan to continue studying this population, they can already conclude that the delay between exposure to arsenic and the development of related cancers could be one of the longest of any human carcinogen. These findings not only add important scientific information on latency patterns, they also may have direct public health implications.
The long latency after exposure reduction means the incidence of arsenic-related diseases is likely to remain very high for many years after arsenic exposures have stopped.
Possible long-term interventions to reduce mortality and morbidity after high exposures end include disease screening, reducing important co-exposures, treatment and health services resource planning, and increasing public awareness of arsenic health effects.
Source: Eurekalert
Soak and Cook Rice To Stay Away From The Dangers of Arsenic
Arsenic exposure has been associated with several health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
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Identifying a clear relationship between arsenic exposure and cancer mortality rates, the study found that lung, bladder, and kidney cancer mortality rates started to increase about 10 years after the high exposures commenced and did not peak until at least 20 years after exposure reduction began. For both men and women, mortality rates for these types of cancer remained high up to 40 years after the highest exposure stopped.
Although the researchers plan to continue studying this population, they can already conclude that the delay between exposure to arsenic and the development of related cancers could be one of the longest of any human carcinogen. These findings not only add important scientific information on latency patterns, they also may have direct public health implications.
The long latency after exposure reduction means the incidence of arsenic-related diseases is likely to remain very high for many years after arsenic exposures have stopped.
Possible long-term interventions to reduce mortality and morbidity after high exposures end include disease screening, reducing important co-exposures, treatment and health services resource planning, and increasing public awareness of arsenic health effects.
Source: Eurekalert
Potential Link Between Toenail Arsenic Concentration and Fat Intake
Intake of certain dietary fats decreases toenail arsenic levels. However, the presence of long chain n-3 fatty acids in the diet corresponds with higher arsenic concentration in toenails.
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Arsenic in Drinking Water Increases Cardiovascular Disease RiskHigh levels of arsenic exposure (>500 µg/L) in drinking water have been related to increased risks to cardiovascular diseases. | Advertisement
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