Evaluation of Chronic Health Effects in People Exposed to Arsenic via the Drinking Water

Background: Arsenic is a natural element which there is two forms of it in all parts of the environment; organic and inorganic. Inorganic arsenic is the toxic form of arsenic which is found in ground water, surface water and lots of foods such as rice, cereals and fish. In general, the most contact and exposure to Inorganic form of arsenic is through drinking water not food. As well there is arsenic in the soil. The concentration of this element, above 05 billion (ppb) or 5.0 micrograms per liter, in drinking water will cause a lot of health risks. This study aimed to learn about the dangers of arsenic in drinking water on health and provide solutions to eliminate this element.Methods: The review was conducted searching in essays and papers in the libraries and Internet and the obtained resources were used to regulate this paper.Results: The results showed that, for human, the lethal dose of inorganic arsenic in drinking water is between 15 to 25 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Long-term drinking water contamination with arsenic is toxic and can affect on all body systems and organs. This element is carcinogenic and causes skin, lung, bladder, kidney, and liver cancer. As well, this element in drinking water can lead to non-cancerous.Conclusion: Considering the different carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of arsenic on humans, it is necessary to take measures for the supply of drinking water.

Keywords:

unsafe drinking water , Arsenic , Health effects , Cancer