Abstract
Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring metalloid and one of the most common environmental contaminants. It is found in water, air, and food, with its highest accumulation in water; a frequent source of human exposure to inorganic arsenic is from groundwater contamination. Arsenic has several oxidation states. Of greatest toxicologic importance are inorganic arsenite (AsIII) and arsenate (AsV). Arsenic can adversely affect the neurological, cardiovascular, integumentary, digestive, endocrine, and pulmonary systems and leads to significant health problems. This overview critically examines the existing literature on As exposure and its health effects.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Encyclopedia of the Neurological Sciences |
Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
Pages | 272-274 |
Number of pages | 3 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780123851574 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780123851581 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2014 |
Keywords
- Arsenate
- Arsenic
- Arsenite
- Axonopathy
- Carcinogenesis
- Cognitive function decline
- Drinking water
- Metal
- Methylation
- Neurotoxicology
- Toxicant
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)