Health risk assessment of inorganic arsenic: an umbrella review.
Rev Environ HealthJul 23, 2026 (epub)
Subeen Leem, Jieun Shin, Ji-Hoon Lee et al.
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In 30 seconds
This umbrella review assessed health risks associated with inorganic arsenic (iAs) exposure by synthesizing 36 systematic reviews. It identified significant dose-response relationships, particularly noting that each 10 µg/L increase in iAs raised bladder cancer risk by 3.11%. The study utilized text network analysis and evaluated the methodological quality of included reviews.
Key findings
- Seven systematic reviews reported a significant dose-response relationship between iAs and bladder cancer.
- Relative risks for bladder cancer were 2.70, 4.20, and 5.80 at 10, 50, and 150 µg/L of iAs, respectively.
- Each 10 µg/L increase in iAs raised bladder cancer risk by 3.11% (p=0.003).
- iAs exposure is linked to hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and adverse fetal outcomes.
Why it matters
Understanding the health risks associated with inorganic arsenic exposure is crucial for clinicians, as it informs risk assessment and regulatory strategies aimed at reducing exposure and improving public health outcomes.