Arsenic Pollution: A Slow Poisoning And Its Diseases

Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid element found in the Earth's crust. It is toxic to humans and can be found in water, air, food, and soil. Long-term exposure to arsenic, especially through drinking water and food, can lead to chronic arsenic poisoning or arsenicosis. The health effects of arsenic exposure include cancer, skin lesions, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and developmental issues. Arsenic has also been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes and negative impacts on cognitive development. Due to its toxicity and widespread presence in the environment, arsenic pollution poses a significant risk to human health.

Arsenic poisoning

Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid chemical element that may be present in groundwater. It is widely distributed in the Earth's crust and can be found in water, air, food, and soil. Arsenic is highly toxic in its inorganic form, and people are exposed to elevated levels of it through drinking contaminated water, using contaminated water in food preparation and irrigation of food crops, industrial processes, eating contaminated food, and smoking tobacco.

Long-term exposure to arsenic from these sources can lead to chronic arsenic poisoning and cause severe health issues, including cancer, skin lesions, liver disease, coma, and even death. In addition, it has been associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, developmental effects, pulmonary disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Exposure in utero and early childhood has been linked to negative impacts on cognitive development and increased mortality in young adults due to multiple cancers, lung disease, heart attacks, and kidney failure.

The symptoms of arsenic poisoning can be acute, severe, and immediate, or they may develop over a longer period, depending on the method and amount of exposure. If a dangerous amount of arsenic is ingested, a person may show signs and symptoms within 30 minutes. Inhalation or ingestion of a less concentrated amount may cause symptoms to develop more slowly. As arsenic poisoning progresses, the patient may experience convulsions and changes in fingernail pigmentation.

If you suspect arsenic poisoning, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Urine tests carried out within 1-2 days of initial exposure can accurately determine when the poisoning occurred and help diagnose arsenic poisoning. Hair and fingernail tests can also determine the level of arsenic exposure over a more extended period. Treatment for arsenic poisoning includes bowel irrigation, medication, and chelation therapy, which uses chemicals to isolate arsenic from blood proteins.

Arsenic-induced cancers

Arsenic is a natural element that can be found in rocks, soil, water, air, plants, and animals. It has no nutritional benefits and is highly toxic, particularly in its inorganic form. Arsenic is also a man-made contaminant, released into the environment through certain agricultural and industrial processes, such as mining and metal smelting.

People can be exposed to arsenic through contaminated drinking water, food, and tobacco smoke. In certain countries, including the United States, Argentina, Bangladesh, and China, inorganic arsenic is naturally present at high levels in groundwater. Arsenic-contaminated water is the most significant source of exposure, although food can also be a source, especially seafood, rice, rice products, and poultry.

Long-term exposure to arsenic has been linked to various health issues, including cancer. Arsenic-induced cancers occur through a complex process of arsenic carcinogenesis, which involves genotoxicity and damage to genetic information. This damage includes DNA double- and single-strand breaks, inhibited DNA repair, and aberrant cell division, leading to genomic instability, a common driver of cancers.

The strongest evidence for arsenic-associated cancers is for skin, lung, and bladder tumors. Arsenic exposure has also been linked to an increased risk of kidney cancer, liver cancer, and cancers of the digestive tract, lung, liver, kidney, lymphatic, and hematopoietic systems. Studies have further suggested a potential link between arsenic exposure and increased risk of gastrointestinal tract, laryngeal, prostate, and breast cancer.

In addition to cancer, long-term exposure to arsenic can lead to skin lesions, heart disease, diabetes, and problems with brain development in babies and young children. Certain groups, such as Hispanic/Latino-American, American Indian, and Alaska Native communities, are disproportionately affected by arsenic exposure, highlighting environmental inequalities.

Arsenic-induced diabetes

Arsenic is a naturally occurring toxic metalloid that is a matter of global concern. Many studies have indicated a dose-response relationship between cumulative arsenic exposure and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in arseniasis-endemic areas. Arsenic induces diabetic effects through beta-cell dysfunction and increased gluconeogenesis in mice.

Several studies have been conducted to understand the link between arsenic and diabetes. A study by Tseng in 2004 reviewed the potential biological mechanisms of arsenic-induced diabetes mellitus. Another study by Lu et al. in 2011 found that arsenic induces pancreatic beta-cell apoptosis via oxidative stress-regulated mitochondria-dependent pathways. Similarly, a study by Diaz-Villasenor et al. in 2013 found that arsenic exposure and Calpain-10 polymorphisms impair the function of pancreatic beta-cells in humans.

The precise mechanisms for the arsenic-induced diabetogenic effect are still largely undefined. However, recent in vitro experimental studies have indicated that inorganic arsenic or its metabolites impair insulin-dependent glucose uptake or glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Arsenic exposure can also enhance the production of reactive oxygen species, interfere with the activity of key antioxidant enzymes, and induce lipid peroxidation.

The role of arsenic in diabetes development is still debated. While an increase in the prevalence of DM has been observed among residents of highly arsenic-contaminated areas, findings from community-based and occupational studies in low-arsenic-exposure areas have been inconsistent. Recent studies have shown that arsenic exposure at levels less than 300 μg/L is not associated with a significantly increased risk of DM.

In conclusion, while the exact mechanisms are still unclear, there is significant evidence to suggest that arsenic exposure contributes to the development of diabetes, particularly in areas with high arsenic contamination. Further research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between arsenic exposure and diabetes.

Arsenic-induced cardiovascular disease

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that can be found in the Earth's crust, as well as in water, air, food, and soil. It is well-established that chronic arsenic ingestion causes cancer of the skin, bladder, and lungs. However, the focus of this discussion is on arsenic-induced cardiovascular disease (CVD).

While the exact mechanisms by which arsenic induces vascular disease are not yet fully understood, animal models have shown that arsenic exposure accelerates and exacerbates atherosclerosis. Arsenic has also been found to induce the expression of aldose reductase, an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the reduction of lipid-derived aldehydes. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE) are the most abundant saturated and unsaturated aldehydes generated from the oxidation of LDL. Increased levels of MDA and HNE have been detected in the plasma of arsenic-exposed animals, indicating a potential link between arsenic exposure and vascular disease.

Large-scale prospective studies using appropriate biomarkers may help elucidate the pathways by which arsenic induces vascular disease. However, the heterogeneity of drinking water resources and the limited exposure range pose challenges for epidemiological studies, particularly in terms of long-term arsenic exposure measures and sample size. Additionally, the individual variation in susceptibility to arsenic-caused diseases, influenced by factors such as genetic variation and the gut microbiome, further complicates the understanding of arsenic-induced CVD.

In summary, arsenic-induced cardiovascular disease is a serious health issue associated with long-term arsenic exposure, particularly through contaminated water and food sources. While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, animal models and epidemiological studies suggest a link between arsenic exposure and vascular disease. Further research, including large-scale prospective studies, is needed to better understand the pathways by which arsenic induces vascular disease and to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Arsenic in food

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is widely distributed in the Earth's crust. It is found in water, air, food, and soil. Arsenic may be present in food from the environment where the food is grown, raised, or processed. Arsenic levels in the environment can vary depending on the natural geographical makeup and proximity to past or current use or manufacturing of products made with arsenic. For example, arsenic levels are higher in certain soils and rocks, where arsenic-containing pesticides were once used on food crops or from the current use of those pesticides on non-food crops, and pollution from mining, fracking, and coal-fired power plants.

The most common source of high levels of inorganic arsenic is contaminated drinking water. Arsenic can also enter the food during processing, for example, when contaminated water is added to food or when processing aids for filtering juices contain arsenic. Arsenic may be found in foods, including rice and some fish, due to its presence in the soil or water. As a naturally occurring element, it is not possible to remove arsenic entirely from the environment or food supply.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors and regulates arsenic levels in certain foods, including dietary supplements and cosmetics. The FDA prioritizes monitoring inorganic arsenic levels in specific foods that are more likely to be eaten by young children, such as infant rice cereal and apple juice. The FDA has issued guidance to manufacturers to not exceed inorganic arsenic levels of 100 ppb in infant rice cereals and 10 ppb in apple juice. These are recommendations for manufacturers and are not legally enforceable limits.

Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking water and food can cause cancer and skin lesions. It has also been associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, developmental effects, pulmonary disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Exposure in utero and in early childhood has been linked to increases in mortality in young adults due to multiple cancers, lung disease, heart attacks, and kidney failure. Numerous studies have demonstrated negative impacts of arsenic exposure on cognitive development, intelligence, and memory.

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