ARSENIC AND HUMAN HEALTH: AN EPIDEMIOLOGY PERSPECTIVE

Drinking water arsenic exposure is clearly linked to cancer occurrence in highly exposed populations. However, the effects at environmental levels, typical of the USA, are less clear. The potential carcinogenic effects of arsenic levels between 1 ug/L and 50 ug/L remain particularly controversial. This is largely due to the paucity of human epidemiologic data. In New Hampshire, one in ten private wells contain arsenic concentrations of 10 ug/L or more. Through our state-wide epidemiologic study, we are investigating the potential carcinogenic effects of arsenic exposure and are evaluating the reliability of biomarkers of arsenic exposure. A summary of recent findings will be presented.