Arsenic Contamination in Drinking Water and Health

Abstract

In the modern world, water contamination is a serious issue. Nearly every heavy metal is poisonous at larger amounts, and many of them are dangerous at extremely low concentrations. Although arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring element found in water, food, and soil, it is currently one of the most serious environmental contaminants that is rapidly evolving and is released into the environment due to industrial and agricultural use. This xenobiotic has been recognized as a toxicant that distresses almost each tissue or organ in the body and exerts its toxic effects through a variety of methods. Aberrant mental health can be a consequence of arsenic exposure in the normal human body via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact. Additionally, As is regarded as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and has been connected to a number of neurological conditions, including neurodevelopmental abnormalities. The precise mechanisms at play, though, remain unknown. In this chapter, we evaluate the molecular processes behind arsenic’s neurotoxic effects. The consequences of arsenic on intellectual and mental function during development are discussed, followed by research demonstrating the link between adult arsenic exposure and transformed cognition. Arsenic’s social health effects and probable effects on mental well-being are also discussed, along with subsidiary effects arising from various other health issues caused by arsenic itself. This supports epidemiological evidence of arsenic’s potential for being a psychological toxin. Further, the preventive measures and policies that need to be implemented for the mental well-being of the affected population have been discussed.