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Arsenic in Drinking Water and Human Health
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Arsenic in Drinking Water and Human Health

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water and One Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 21898

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Richard K. Kwok

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
Interests: water; metals; air pollution; mixtures; disasters; oil spills; cardiovascular disease; cancer; reproductive health; mental health; common data elements
Dr. Danielle J. Carlin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
Interests: chemical mixtures; combined exposures; metals; inhalation toxicology; xenobiotic metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Arsenic is a widespread, naturally occurring metalloid. It is an established human carcinogen and may be a risk factor for diabetes and other adverse health outcomes. Humans can be exposed to arsenic through drinking water, food, dust, air, and occupational activities. The ubiquity of arsenic and the potential for multiple routes of exposure means that humans continue to be at risk of adverse health outcomes as a result of this exposure.

We propose this Special Issue to bring together the NIEHS grantees and other arsenic researchers to share their latest findings on the human health effects of arsenic in drinking water. This Special Issue will have a broad scope encompassing not only research articles but also reviews of the current literature and updates on the state of the science. It will serve as a useful milestone for the arsenic research community to update their findings in one Issue. The Guest Editors will write an editorial/introduction to the Special Issue to introduce the topic and present a summary overview of the state of the science.

Dr. Richard K. Kwok
Dr. Danielle J. Carlin
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • drinking water
  • arsenic
  • human health
  • cancer
  • renal
  • cardiovascular disease
  • reproductive health

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 1433 KiB  
Article
Arsenite Methyltransferase Is an Important Mediator of Hematotoxicity Induced by Arsenic in Drinking Water
by Sebastian Medina, Haikun Zhang, Laura V. Santos-Medina, Zachary A. Yee, Kaitlin J. Martin, Guanghua Wan, Alicia M. Bolt, Xixi Zhou, Miroslav Stýblo and Ke Jian Liu
Water 2023, 15(3), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15030448 - 22 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2422
Abstract
Chronic arsenic exposures via the consumption of contaminated drinking water are clearly associated with many deleterious health outcomes, including anemia. Following exposure, trivalent inorganic arsenic (AsIII) is methylated through a series of arsenic (+III oxidation state) methyltransferase (As3MT)-dependent reactions, resulting in [...] Read more.
Chronic arsenic exposures via the consumption of contaminated drinking water are clearly associated with many deleterious health outcomes, including anemia. Following exposure, trivalent inorganic arsenic (AsIII) is methylated through a series of arsenic (+III oxidation state) methyltransferase (As3MT)-dependent reactions, resulting in the production of several intermediates with greater toxicity than the parent inorganic arsenicals. The extent to which inorganic vs. methylated arsenicals contribute to AsIII-induced hematotoxicity remains unknown. In this study, the contribution of As3MT-dependent biotransformation to the development of anemia was evaluated in male As3mt-knockout (KO) and wild-type, C57BL/6J, mice following 60-day drinking water exposures to 1 mg/L (ppm) AsIII. The evaluation of hematological indicators of anemia revealed significant reductions in red blood cell counts, hemoglobin levels, and hematocrit in AsIII-exposed wild-type mice as compared to unexposed controls. No such changes in the blood of As3mt-KO mice were detected. Compared with unexposed controls, the percentages of mature RBCs in the bone marrow and spleen (measured by flow cytometry) were significantly reduced in the bone marrow of AsIII-exposed wild-type, but not As3mt-KO mice. This was accompanied by increased levels of mature RBCS in the spleen and elevated levels of circulating erythropoietin in the serum of AsIII-exposed wild-type, but not As3mt-KO mice. Taken together, the findings from the present study suggest that As3MT-dependent biotransformation has an essential role in mediating the hematotoxicity of AsIII following drinking water exposures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arsenic in Drinking Water and Human Health)
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12 pages, 1590 KiB  
Article
ALKBH4 Stabilization Is Required for Arsenic-Induced 6mA DNA Methylation Inhibition, Keratinocyte Malignant Transformation, and Tumorigenicity
by Yan-Hong Cui, Emma Wilkinson, Jack Peterson and Yu-Ying He
Water 2022, 14(22), 3595; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14223595 - 08 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1867
Abstract
Inorganic arsenic is one of the well-known human skin carcinogens. However, the molecular mechanism by which arsenic promotes carcinogenesis remains unclear. Previous studies have established that epigenetic changes, including changes in DNA methylation, are among the critical mechanisms that drive carcinogenesis. N6 [...] Read more.
Inorganic arsenic is one of the well-known human skin carcinogens. However, the molecular mechanism by which arsenic promotes carcinogenesis remains unclear. Previous studies have established that epigenetic changes, including changes in DNA methylation, are among the critical mechanisms that drive carcinogenesis. N6-methyladenine (6mA) methylation on DNA is a widespread epigenetic modification that was initially found on bacterial and phage DNA. Only recently has 6mA been identified in mammalian genomes. However, the function of 6mA in gene expression and cancer development is not well understood. Here, we show that chronic low doses of arsenic induce malignant transformation and tumorigenesis in keratinocytes and lead to the upregulation of ALKBH4 and downregulation of 6mA on DNA. We found that reduced 6mA levels in response to low levels of arsenic were mediated by the upregulation of the 6mA DNA demethylase ALKBH4. Moreover, we found that arsenic increased ALKBH4 protein levels and that ALKBH4 deletion impaired arsenic-induced tumorigenicity in vitro and in mice. Mechanistically, we found that arsenic promoted ALKBH4 protein stability through reduced autophagy. Together, our findings reveal that the DNA 6mA demethylaseALKBH4 promotes arsenic tumorigenicity and establishes ALKBH4 as a promising target for arsenic-induced tumorigenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arsenic in Drinking Water and Human Health)
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11 pages, 1693 KiB  
Article
Developing Toxic Metal Environmental Justice Indices (TM-EJIs) for Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Manganese Contamination in Private Drinking Wells in North Carolina
by Noemi Gavino-Lopez, Lauren A. Eaves, Adam E. Enggasser and Rebecca C. Fry
Water 2022, 14(13), 2088; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14132088 - 29 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2598
Abstract
Toxic metal exposure via private drinking wells is an environmental health challenge in North Carolina (NC). Policies tainted by environmental racism shape who has access to public water supplies, with Black People, Indigenous People, and People of Color (BIPOC) often excluded from municipal [...] Read more.
Toxic metal exposure via private drinking wells is an environmental health challenge in North Carolina (NC). Policies tainted by environmental racism shape who has access to public water supplies, with Black People, Indigenous People, and People of Color (BIPOC) often excluded from municipal services. Thus, toxic metal exposure via private wells is an environmental justice (EJ) issue, and it is under-studied in NC. In this study, we developed four Toxic Metal Environmental Justice Indices (TM-EJIs) for inorganic arsenic (iAs), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and manganese (Mn) to quantitatively identify areas of environmental injustice in NC. TM-EJIs were calculated at the census tract level (n = 2038) as the product of the following: (1) number of well water tests with concentrations exceeding national standards, (2) percentage of the low-income and minority population, and (3) population density. Mn had the greatest proportion (25.17%) of positive TM-EJIs, which are indicative of socioeconomically disadvantaged groups exposed to toxic metals. Positive TM-EJIs, particularly for Pb and Mn, were primarily located in eastern NC. These results highlight several new counties of concern and can be used by public health professionals and state environmental agencies to prioritize remediation efforts and efforts to reduce environmental injustices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arsenic in Drinking Water and Human Health)
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12 pages, 2401 KiB  
Article
Urine Dilution Correction Methods Utilizing Urine Creatinine or Specific Gravity in Arsenic Analyses: Comparisons to Blood and Water Arsenic in the FACT and FOX Studies in Bangladesh
by Ahlam Abuawad, Jeff Goldsmith, Julie B. Herbstman, Faruque Parvez, Tariqul Islam, Nancy LoIacono, Joseph H. Graziano, Ana Navas-Acien and Mary V. Gamble
Water 2022, 14(9), 1477; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14091477 - 05 May 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2859
Abstract
Urinary As (uAs) is a biomarker of As exposure. Urinary creatinine (uCr) or specific gravity (SG) are used to correct uAs for urine dilution. However, uCr is correlated with As methylation, whereas SG has limitations in individuals with kidney damage. We aimed to [...] Read more.
Urinary As (uAs) is a biomarker of As exposure. Urinary creatinine (uCr) or specific gravity (SG) are used to correct uAs for urine dilution. However, uCr is correlated with As methylation, whereas SG has limitations in individuals with kidney damage. We aimed to evaluate which urine dilution correction methods for uAs most accurately predicted blood As (bAs). We used data from the Folic Acid and Creatine Trial (FACT; N = 541) and Folate and Oxidative Stress (FOX; N = 343) study in Bangladesh. Three linear regression models were assessed using uAs (1) adjusted for uCr or SG as separate covariates, (2) standardized for uCr or SG, i.e., uAs/uCr, and (3) adjusted for residual corrected uCr or SG following adjustment for age, sex and BMI. Median uAs/bAs for FACT and FOX were 114/8.4 and 140/12.3 µg/L. In FACT, two-fold increases in uAs adjusted for uCr or SG were related to 34% and 22% increases in bAs, respectively, with similar patterns in FOX. Across methods, models with uCr consistently had lower AIC values than SG. The uAs associations with bAs were stronger after adjustment for uCr vs. SG. Decisions regarding urine dilution methods should consider whether the study outcomes are influenced by factors such as methylation or medical conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arsenic in Drinking Water and Human Health)
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Review

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44 pages, 4039 KiB  
Review
Arsenic in Drinking Water and Urinary Tract Cancers: A Systematic Review Update
by Alpamys Issanov, Betty Adewusi, Trevor J. B. Dummer and Nathalie Saint-Jacques
Water 2023, 15(12), 2185; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15122185 - 09 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1895
Abstract
Problem: There remains uncertainty around cancer risk at lower levels of arsenic in drinking water. This study updates evidence from our previous review on the relationship between arsenic in drinking water and urinary bladder and kidney cancers (updated search January 2013 to [...] Read more.
Problem: There remains uncertainty around cancer risk at lower levels of arsenic in drinking water. This study updates evidence from our previous review on the relationship between arsenic in drinking water and urinary bladder and kidney cancers (updated search January 2013 to February 2023). Method: Thirty-four studies were retained for review; six met criteria for inclusion in meta-analysis. Risk estimates for bladder and kidney cancer incidence and mortality were analyzed separately using Bayesian multilevel linear models. Results: For bladder cancer incidence, the estimated posterior mean relative risks (RRs) were 1.25 (0.92–1.73), 2.11 (1.18–4.22) and 3.01 (1.31–8.17) at arsenic concentrations of 10, 50 and 150 μg/L, respectively, with posterior probabilities of 92%, 99% and 100%, respectively, for the RRs to be >1. The corresponding RRs for kidney cancer were 1.37 (1.07–1.77), 1.95 (1.44–2.65) and 2.47 (1.74–3.52), with posterior probabilities of 100%. For bladder cancer, the posterior mean mortality ratios were 1.36 (0.35–6.39), 2.92 (1.24–7.82) and 4.88 (2.83–9.03) with posterior probabilities of 72%, 99% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: The findings show increased bladder and kidney cancer risks at lower levels of arsenic in drinking water. Given that many people worldwide are exposed to lower levels of arsenic in drinking water, the public health impacts are substantial. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arsenic in Drinking Water and Human Health)
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30 pages, 2734 KiB  
Review
Arsenic in Drinking Water and Diabetes
by Aryatara Shakya, Matthew Dodson, Janick F. Artiola, Monica Ramirez-Andreotta, Robert A. Root, Xinxin Ding, Jon Chorover and Raina M. Maier
Water 2023, 15(9), 1751; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15091751 - 02 May 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4653
Abstract
Arsenic is ubiquitous in soil and water environments and is consistently at the top of the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR) substance priority list. It has been shown to induce toxicity even at low levels of exposure. One of the major [...] Read more.
Arsenic is ubiquitous in soil and water environments and is consistently at the top of the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR) substance priority list. It has been shown to induce toxicity even at low levels of exposure. One of the major routes of exposure to arsenic is through drinking water. This review presents current information related to the distribution of arsenic in the environment, the resultant impacts on human health, especially related to diabetes, which is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases, regulation of arsenic in drinking water, and approaches for treatment of arsenic in drinking water for both public utilities and private wells. Taken together, this information points out the existing challenges to understanding both the complex health impacts of arsenic and to implementing the treatment strategies needed to effectively reduce arsenic exposure at different scales. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arsenic in Drinking Water and Human Health)
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27 pages, 2432 KiB  
Review
Towards Understanding Factors Affecting Arsenic, Chromium, and Vanadium Mobility in the Subsurface
by Hannah R. Peel, Fatai O. Balogun, Christopher A. Bowers, Cass T. Miller, Chelsea S. Obeidy, Matthew L. Polizzotto, Sadeya U. Tashnia, David S. Vinson and Owen W. Duckworth
Water 2022, 14(22), 3687; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14223687 - 15 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4227
Abstract
Arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), and vanadium (V) are naturally occurring, redox-active elements that can become human health hazards when they are released from aquifer substrates into groundwater that may be used as domestic or irrigation source. As such, there is a need to [...] Read more.
Arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), and vanadium (V) are naturally occurring, redox-active elements that can become human health hazards when they are released from aquifer substrates into groundwater that may be used as domestic or irrigation source. As such, there is a need to develop incisive conceptual and quantitative models of the geochemistry and transport of potentially hazardous elements to assess risk and facilitate interventions. However, understanding the complexity and heterogeneous subsurface environment requires knowledge of solid-phase minerals, hydrologic movement, aerobic and anaerobic environments, microbial interactions, and complicated chemical kinetics. Here, we examine the relevant geochemical and hydrological information about the release and transport of potentially hazardous geogenic contaminants, specifically As, Cr, and V, as well as the potential challenges in developing a robust understanding of their behavior in the subsurface. We explore the development of geochemical models, illustrate how they can be utilized, and describe the gaps in knowledge that exist in translating subsurface conditions into numerical models, as well as provide an outlook on future research needs and developments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arsenic in Drinking Water and Human Health)
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