Arsenic Linked to Atherosclerosis

A strong dose-dependent relationship between arsenic exposure and the accelerated development of arterial diseases has been noted and reported for the first time.

Residents from a southwestern area of Taiwan have been exposed to high levels of arsenic due to prevalence of inorganic arsenic in their well water. From there, National Taiwan University researchers studied 460 adults.

Information on health background was then gathered to form a clearer picture. The participants were interviewed about dietary habits, personal and exercise habits, smoking and alcohol intake and water consumption history. They also underwent regular health examinations to determine cholesterol levels and plaque build up in their carotid arteries. How long the subjects had been consuming the well water, the average arsenic concentration in the water as well as cumulative arsenic exposure were also taken into due consideration.

The researchers found that the prevalence of arterial disease increased as the amount of arsenic exposure rose. Subjects with moderate exposure to arsenic were twice as likely to develop arterial disease than those who were not exposed at all, while those with the highest arsenic exposure levels were three times more likely to do so.