LOW LEVEL EXPOSURE TO ARSENIC IN DRINKING WATER: A REVIEW ON ACTION MECHANISM, HEALTH EFFECTS AND BIOMARKERS

Arsenic has been recognized as a major public health issue worldwide. Chronic exposure at high levels (higher than 150μg/L) of this metalloid, ingested by means of food and drinking water, is a certain risk factor for a number of chronic diseases: cancer, cardiovascular diseases, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes and skin lesions. Although there is a plethora of studies published on this issue, in particular on environmental exposure at high levels, a lot is yet to be explained. The arsenic action mechanism and the existence of specific biomarkers to identify precociously the exposure, the effects and the genetic susceptibility are still matter of investigation. The purpose of this review is to shed light on this grey area, in particular focusing on the current knowledge about arsenic effects of exposure at low concentrations (lower than 150μg/L).