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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Diabetes Linked to Arsenic in Tap Water

Study suggests millions may face serious risk from their tap

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(Newser) – Arsenic in the drinking water of millions of Americans may be contributing to the diabetes epidemic, Bloomberg reports. Researchers found that people with high levels of arsenic in their urine were nearly four times more likely to have type 2 diabetes. Higher rates of diabetes occurred even with trace amounts of arsenic and levels that meet US legal standards.

"We know drinking water is the main source of exposure. It's important to reduce arsenic levels in drinking water where it exists,'' said an author of the study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers are now trying to establish whether the toxin somehow triggers the disease, or if diabetes makes the body less able to filter out arsenic.

Researchers discovered that study participants with type 2 diabetes had a 26% higher level of arsenic in their urine.
Researchers discovered that study participants with type 2 diabetes had a 26% higher level of arsenic in their urine.   ((c) Betacells)
Almost 8% of the US drinking water supply has arsenic levels in excess of government guidelines.
Almost 8% of the US drinking water supply has arsenic levels in excess of government guidelines.   (Shutter Stock)
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We think the government should be doing more to test and to regulate contaminants. We'd like the government to do more to keep them out in the first place. - Jennifer Sass, senior scientist for the Natural Resources Defense Council

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Abstract of the diabetes study
Journal of the American Medical Association

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diabetes • American Medical Association • drinking water • type 2 diabetes • water supply • arsenic • tap water

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