Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. 
Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. What was issued?
The review focuses on the harmful effects of arsenic, particularly its role in causing cancer. Arsenic is a known carcinogen that can be found in drinking water, food, and through pollution. The review explains how arsenic leads to cancer by damaging cells. It creates harmful substances called reactive oxygen species (ROS) that stress the body and damage DNA. This damage can prevent cells from repairing themselves, causing long-term harm. Arsenic also interferes with genes that control cell growth, leading to cancer. The review shows that both natural and human-made sources of arsenic pose serious health risks, especially in areas with high contamination.
Who is affected?
This issue mainly affects people who drink contaminated water, consume certain foods, or work in industries where arsenic exposure is common. In many parts of the world, including Bangladesh, Chile, and parts of the U.S., people drink water with unsafe arsenic levels, putting them at risk. The agricultural industry is also affected, particularly areas where rice is grown, as arsenic can build up in crops. Regulatory bodies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are involved in setting safe levels for arsenic in drinking water. Public health officials work to reduce exposure, especially for vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women.
Most important findings
The review confirms that arsenic is a major cause of cancer, particularly skin, lung, bladder, and kidney cancers. It works by increasing oxidative stress in the body, which damages cells and DNA. Arsenic also disrupts DNA repair processes, making it harder for cells to fix damage. It can affect important proteins by replacing zinc, which is essential for many cell functions. The review highlights that different forms of arsenic (such as inorganic and methylated arsenicals) contribute to cancer in different ways. Inorganic arsenic, especially in trivalent forms like arsenite, is the most harmful, while methylated forms tend to cause cancer through ROS-related pathways. Furthermore, arsenic exposure during pregnancy and early childhood increases cancer risks later in life.
Key implications
The findings of this review suggest that stronger measures are needed to protect people from arsenic exposure. Governments must enforce stricter regulations on arsenic levels in drinking water and food. For the food industry, especially rice producers, it’s crucial to monitor and limit arsenic contamination in crops. Public health efforts should focus on reducing exposure, especially among pregnant women, children, and people living in high-risk areas. Further research is needed to understand how arsenic causes cancer more clearly, which could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies. The review also calls for improvements in agricultural practices, such as cleaner water for irrigation, to help reduce arsenic levels in food.
Citation
Speer, R. M., Zhou, X., Volk, L. B., Liu, K. J., & Hudson, L. G. (2022). Arsenic and cancer: Evidence and mechanisms. Advances in Pharmacology (San Diego, Calif.), 96, 151. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apha.2022.08.001
Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid that ranks first on the ATSDR toxic substances list. Inorganic arsenic contaminates water, rice and consumer products, and exposure is linked to cardiovascular disease, cognitive deficits, low birth weight and cancer. HMTC’s stringent certification applies ALARA principles to protect vulnerable populations.
