A new study suggests that exposure to inorganic arsenic may increase risk of prostate cancer, which is diagnosed in about 230,000 men each year in the U. S.

The study finds that in Illinois, the incidence of prostate cancer is up to 10% higher in counties with high arsenic in drinking water than those with low arsenic concentrations in drinking water.

Also, the association of prostate cancer incidence with inorganic arsenic concentrations in drinking water is a significant linear dose-response relationship.  That means higher concentrations of inorganic arsenic are linked to higher incidence of prostate cancer.

Data used for the study include arsenic concentrations in drinking water from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and prostate cancer incidence from 2007 to 2011 recorded in the State Cancer Registry.

Inorganic arsenic is known as a carcinogen that can cause lung cancer, bladder cancer, and skin cancer.   Some other studies also suggest that arsenic can increase risk of prostate cancer. (David Liu)

Catherine M. Bulkaa, Rachael M. Jonesb, Mary E. Turyka, Leslie T. Staynera, Maria Argosa, Arsenic in drinking water and prostate cancer in Illinois counties: An ecologic study, Environmental Research, Volume, 148, July 2016, Pages 450–456