Exposure to low levels of this metal in drinking water has been correlated with increased rates of cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and kidney disease?
A standardized mortality ratio analysis was conducted in a contiguous six-county area of southeastern Michigan to investigate the relationship between moderate arsenic levels in groundwater and 23 selected disease outcomes. They found that the study area had a population-weighted mean groundwater arsenic concentration of 11.00 μg/L and a population-weighted median of 7.58 μg/L. Elevated mortality rates were observed for both males and females in cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and diseases of the circulatory system.
Meliker, J.R., Wahl, R.L., Cameron, L.L. et al. Arsenic in drinking water and cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and kidney disease in Michigan: a standardized mortality ratio analysis. Environ Health 6, 4 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-6-4
Submitted by: Garry Winkler, MD on behalf of DEI Task Force