The long-term care of Gabriele and her husband Charles paves the way for what a huge issue arsenic-contaminated drinking water could be on public health. Arsenic, a poisonous material that mostly occurs in nature, could disrupt several organs when it enters the body system by prolonged ingestion. Understanding how Arsenic is acted on and metabolized, recognizing the signs and symptoms resulting from long-term exposure, and targeting organs affected by arsenic toxicity is key.
Post intake of this toxin by contaminated water, Arsenic goes into the body and then distributes to the organs and tissues that constitute the body. The major mechanism of elimination is methylation; that is, inorganic Arsenic is converted into less toxic form organic like monomethyl arsenic acid(MMA) and dimethyl arsenic acid (DMA) and then finally, these compounds are excreted in the urine. One characteristic of this methylation process is that it may not be the same in all individuals; hence, an individual may be more susceptible to arsenic toxicity than the other. Several determinants among these which play a role involve nutritional status, genetic individuality, co-exposure to different pollutants, levels of selenium and α-tocopherol, and the toxicity of Arsenic.
Chronic exposure to arsenic levels in drinking water above the limit leads to an array of dangerous health abnormalities, which include skin disorders, cardiovascular disease, neurobiological imbalance, respiratory problems, carcinogenic disease, and reproductive and diabetogenic effects. Importantly, tans and dark spots on the skin (hyperpigmentation), calluses on the palms and soles (palmoplantar hyperkeratosis), and the formation of skin lesions, including precancerous skin growths and cancers are the most distinctive features of chronic arsenic poisoning. Furthermore, Arsenic is linked to an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases, peripheral neuropathy, respiratory irritation and lung cancer. Various carcinogens such as skin, lung and bladder cancers come with Arsenic, reproductive problems and potential negligence of diabetes have also been noticed.
Arsenic acts as a multi-system toxin, enabling it to get into several body systems. The primary target organs impacted by arsenic toxicity include the skin (hyperpigmentation, hyperkeratosis, and skin cancers), lungs (increased risk of lung cancer), bladder (increased incidence of bladder cancer), liver (associated with angiosarcoma), kidneys (acute tubular necrosis, renal failure, and renal cancer), cardiovascular system (peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and cardiomyopathy), nervous system (peripheral neuropathy and encephalopathy), hematopoietic system (bone marrow depression and pancytopenia), and reproductive system (congenital malformations and adverse developmental outcomes).
The case of Gabriella and Charles highlighted more than ever the arsenic problem in drinking water sources and showed that immediate action should be taken to solve this issue. Prolonged exposure to Arsenic may cause serious and far-reaching health issues involving several organs. Hence, the functions of the organs will be disturbed, and the risk of cancer will increase. Appreciating the dimensions that shape arsenic toxicity, the expressions of varied symptoms and effects from long-term exposure, and the organs or tissues affected should be key factors in developing feasible prevention and treatment approaches. Taking the pious aim of solving this public health issue, a holistic approach that includes improved arsenic water quality monitoring system, complex systems to remove Arsenic and a broad-based education program is required.