環境および分析毒性学

Arsenic Exposure: Mechanisms of Action and Related Health Effects

Abstract

Bilal Ahmad Tantry, Divya Shrivastava, Ibrahim Taher and Mudasar Nabi Tantry

Arsenic represents a natural drinking water contaminant that can deteriorate health due to its extreme toxic nature. Infant mortality, neuropathies, liver disease, cancer, eye diseases, cardiovascular disease and different skin alterations can stem from chronic arsenic exposure. The predominant species of arsenic comprise of arsenite and arsenate. Arsenite is more toxic in nature as compared to arsenate. Arsenic pollution is mainly caused by natural process such as weathering of rocks and minerals followed by leaching and industrial activities that lead to contamination of soil and groundwater. The WHO guideline permits the maximum limit of arsenic as 10 μg/L in drinking water. This review provides a comprehensive overview on arsenic mode of action, its sources and health related effects. The effect of toxicity, biomarkers of arsenic toxicity and the mechanism of arsenic dangers on humans are also discussed.