It is known that chronic exposure to drinking water contaminated with arsenic can cause cancers of the bladder, lung, kidney, and skin, as well as a number of other diseases. New research has now also linked it to type 2 diabetes, a disease that has reached pandemic proportions and accounts for 1 in every 10 American dollars spent on healthcare.

The risk of diabetes for Americans with the highest inorganic arsenic loads in their urine is more than three times the risk for those with the lowest arsenic loads. The new finding is supported by previous research that shows exposure to arsenic increases blood glucose and insulin levels.

Utility companies are required by law to keep arsenic levels in drinking water below 10 parts per billion, but fewer safeguards exist for the approximately 15 percent of Americans who get their water from private wells. Because of this, many people may have high levels of arsenic in their water and not realize it.