Title: Arsenic: 7. What are the effects of arsenic on human health?
Headings: Arsenic
Arsenic
7. What are the effects of arsenic on human health?
7.1 Can arsenic cause cancer and skin changes?
7.2 What other health problems can arsenic cause?

Content: 7.1 Can arsenic cause cancer and skin changes? Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water can cause cancer in the skin, lungs, bladder and kidney. It can also cause other skin changes such as thickening and pigmentation. The likelihood of effects is related to the level of exposure to arsenic and in areas where drinking water is heavily contaminated, these effects can be seen in many individuals in the population. Increased risks of lung and bladder cancer and skin changes have been reported in people ingesting arsenic in drinking water at concentrations of 50 µg/litre, or even lower. Exposure to arsenic in the workplace by inhalation can also cause lung cancer. The likelihood of cancer is related to the level and duration of exposure. Increased risks of lung cancer have been observed at exposure levels that add up to more than 750 (µg/m 3 ).year. This figure is obtained by multiplying the average concentration in the workplace by the number of years of exposure (for example, 15 years of exposure to a workroom air concentration of 50 µg/m 3 correspond to 750 (µg/m 3 ).year). Smoking and arsenic exposure combined increase the risk of lung cancer.