A recent study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health reveals that long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water can significantly increase the risk of heart disease, even at levels below the current federal safety limit of 10 µg/L.
The research found that exposure to low levels of arsenic over a decade can raise the risk of ischemic heart disease by 20 percent, highlighting concerns about the adequacy of existing safety regulations for protecting public health.
In addition to naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater, many water supplies are further contaminated by arsenic through the fluoride added to public drinking water. Fluorosilicic acid, the most common form of fluoride used, is often tainted with arsenic, which increases the overall exposure to this toxic substance in tap water. This adds to the growing concerns about the impact of arsenic on both cardiovascular and cancer risks.
The study’s findings underscore the need for stricter regulations to reduce arsenic exposure, especially in communities where groundwater is heavily contaminated. Researchers are urging policymakers to reevaluate current safety limits to better protect public health, not just from arsenic’s role in cancer, but also from its significant impact on heart disease.
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