Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water can cause numerous health problems, including cancer and cardiovascular disease, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities in the U.S.
Ashley Ahearn reports for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
In short:
- Dr. Annie Nigra highlights the widespread issue of arsenic in drinking water and its severe health impacts.
- Research shows higher arsenic levels in water systems serving Latino, Hispanic, and Native American communities.
- Efforts are underway to engage Native American youth in environmental health research to address these disparities.
Key quote:
"I just still remain really grounded in the idea that the income of your community, the racial, ethnic composition of your community, how rural your community is, you know, whether you're from a steel mill community or a rural area, or like a dense urban area, that shouldn't impact your environmental exposures."
— Dr. Annie Nigra, assistant professor of environmental health sciences, Columbia University
Why this matters:
Arsenic in drinking water is a silent, insidious threat lurking in many communities. From skin lesions and cancer to developmental issues in kids, the dangers of arsenic are both immediate and long-term. Read more: Southwest US communities and Hispanics most likely to have arsenic-laden water.
