Reproductive and Developmental Effects Associated with Chronic Arsenic Exposure

Publisher Summary Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic (Asi) is known to cause cancer and non-cancer health effects in humans. The evidence from animal studies clearly shows that As is teratogenic, and the findings of limited human studies suggest that Asi may be associated with several reproductive/developmental outcomes including increased rates of spontaneous abortion, low birth weight, congenital malformations, preeclampsia, and infant mortality. The city of Antofagasta, located in northern Chile, has a history of high As exposure in drinking water. Due to changes in the sources of water, there were considerably high As levels in the public drinking water supply from 1958 to 1970 (over 800 μg/L), which decreased gradually to the current concentrations close to 50 μg/L. A number of studies have reported various health effects associated with the high exposure period, including skin alterations typically linked to As exposure and increases in bladder and lung cancer. An ecologic study was conducted of infant mortality rates in Chile from 1950 to 1996, comparing Antofagasta to the low As exposure areas. Temporal and cross-regional comparisons showed a general steady decline over time in late fetal, neonatal, and post-neonatal mortality rates, for all locations, consistent with improvements in standard of living and health care. However, comparatively high rates were observed in Antofagasta for the three outcomes studied during the 12-year period of the highest As exposure, compared to Santiago and Valparaiso, two locations used as reference groups. While not definitive, these findings support a role for As in the observed increases in mortality rates.