Studi su marcatori di esposizione ed effetto precoce in aree con inquinamento da arsenico: metodi e risultati del progetto SEpiAs. Studi epidemiologici su popolazioni umane esposte a basse e moderate concentrazioni di arsenico nelle acque potabili.

Arsenic and its inorganic compounds are classified as human carcinogens. Several epidemiological studies conducted in areas of the world characterized by high arsenic concentration in drinking water, even up to 3,000 mug/l, report associations between arsenic exposure and skin, bladder, lung, liver and kidney cancer as well as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and reproductive and developmental effects. Since general population is not exposed to these high arsenic concentrations in the last years attention focused on adverse health effects that low-to-moderate arsenic concentrations (0-150 mug/l) in drinking water could induce. The World Health Organization recommends a maximum limit of 10 mug/l for arsenic in drinking water. Almost all epidemiological studies conducted on populations exposed to low-to-moderate arsenic concentrations in drinking water are limited due to problems arising from both individual exposure assessment and low subjects number. The aim of the present review is to collect literature-based evidences regarding adverse health effects associated with exposure to low-to-moderate arsenic concentrations in drinking water (10-150 mug/l) in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of the health outcomes that such exposure can have on general population.