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.