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Arsenic Exposure and Effects in Humans: A Mini-Review in Brazil

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Abstract

Arsenic (As) is widely studied in several countries due to its toxicity to biota in the environment. Arsenic sources may be natural or anthropogenic, and the mobility of the element is ruled by physicochemical conditions that also define the dominant As species in the environment. Arsenic levels are evaluated in various abiotic and biotic environmental samples. The highest As levels are observed in sediment, from where it may be mobilized into the aquifers. This article reviews studies about As in the world but with emphasis on studies performed in Brazil, a country where continental water bodies are a common geographic feature. We reviewed 64 studies published between 1985 and 2016. The results indicate that in recent years more studies have been conducted to determine As levels in foods and human samples as a tool to evaluate the exposure of populations and identify potential sources. In Brazil, the main problems associated with contamination with As are the use of wood preservatives and herbicides as well as the impact caused by mining. Also, the precarious character of sewage treatment systems contributes to the contamination of water bodies.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Laboratory of Environmental Sciences of the State University of the North of Rio de Janeiro (Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, LCA, da Universidade Estadual Norte Fluminense, UENF) for the field and laboratory logistics. C.M.M. Souza received financial support from the Carlos Chagas Filho Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisado Estado do Rio de Janeiro, FAPERJ; E-26/20/2014).

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  1. Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia-Avenida Alberto Lamego, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 2000, Horto, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28015-620, Brazil

    Annaliza Carvalho Meneguelli de Souza, Marcelo Gomes de Almeida, Inácio Abreu Pestana & Cristina Maria Magalhães de Souza

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  1. Annaliza Carvalho Meneguelli de Souza
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  2. Marcelo Gomes de Almeida
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Correspondence to Annaliza Carvalho Meneguelli de Souza.

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de Souza, A.C.M., de Almeida, M.G., Pestana, I.A. et al. Arsenic Exposure and Effects in Humans: A Mini-Review in Brazil. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 76, 357–365 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-018-00586-6

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