Title: Health Effects of Arsenic - Arsenic - University of Maine
Headings: Arsenic
Arsenic
Health Effects of Arsenic

Content: This can occur in a variety of different organs. Cancer is usually only observed after > 10 years’ chronic exposure to arsenic, and the forms of cancer that have correlated to high arsenic exposure are: Skin (tends to come earliest)
Skin cancer
lung
bladder
kidney
liver
Circulatory problems (trouble with blood vessels and circulation). High blood pressure
Circulatory system failure, gangrene, loss of limbs (blackfoot disease)
Blackfoot Disease
Reproductive effects
Low birth weight
Diabetes (may be related more generally to disruption of one or more of the hormone systems)
Nervous system problems
The trouble is that the effects are not always the same for different populations of people. Different populations may be exposed to different forms of arsenic, and they may have different sensitivities and exposures (your daily dose of arsenic will depend on the arsenic concentration in your food and water, and how much you eat and drink). Another important factor in any health effect is nutritional status. If you eat a nutritious diet, you may be more resistant to negative health effects than if you were already weakened by poor nutrition. All the more reason to eat your veggies! Generally speaking, the main routes of contamination for people who are not exposed to arsenic in their work (occupational exposure) are drinking water first, followed by food. Absorption through the skin seems to be minimal, so arsenic exposure through hand washing, laundry, bathing, etc.