Metabolism of inorganic arsenic and non-cancerous health hazards associated with chronic exposure in humans

J Environ Biol. 2007 Apr;28(2 Suppl):349-57.

Abstract

Humans can be exposed to arsenic from a variety of environmental, occupational and medicinal sources. Exposure from drinking water is the most common source nowadays. Inorganic arsenic is metabolized by two main biochemical reactions: reduction and oxidative methylation. Recent studies have confirmed a reactivation of the toxic effects of arsenic associated with such methylation process, because the methylated metabolites, especially the trivalent forms, are more toxic than the inorganic arsenicals. Chronic exposure to arsenic can cause a variety of cancerous and noncancerous health hazards in humans. The main non-cancerous health hazards include cardiovascular disease, skin lesions, neurological problems, diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arsenic / pharmacokinetics
  • Arsenic / toxicity*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / chemically induced
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Environmental Pollutants / pharmacokinetics
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Intelligence / drug effects
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced
  • Skin Diseases / chemically induced

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Arsenic