Environmental toxicology of arsenic: current understanding of toxicity, detection, and remedial strategies

Abstract

Arsenic toxicity is an important worldwide health problem of humans and animals due to environmental and occupational exposure through arsenic polluted water, air, soil and food items. It has a multifaceted health impact on animals, human beings, and the environment. Therefore, various experimental and clinical studies were undertaken and had been undergoing to understand its pathogenesis, identify the key biomarkers, medical and economic impact on the affected populations, timely detection and amelioration. However, despite these long-investigated studies, no conclusive information is available for prevention and control of arsenic toxicity, mainly due to complex epidemiology, scattered approach, and repetitive work. Hence, there is a need for literature that exclusively brings information on epidemiology, pathogenesis, and ameliorative measures of arsenic toxicity, which can help researchers and policymakers for effective future planning research and community control programs. In the above view, this article presents an extensive review on the current understanding of arsenic toxicity, detection methodologies, epidemiology, and remedial measures for the benefits of researchers, academicians, and policy makers in controlling arsenic eco-toxicology and direction for direction futuristic research.

The Emerging Role of Autophagy as a Target of Environmental Pollutants: An Update on Mechanisms

“…Arsenic causes DNA damage, apoptosis, and oxidative stress [ 15 ]. Arsenic’s short-term activation of autophagy protects against apoptosis [ 81 ]. Prolonged exposure to environmental dosages impairs autophagy.…”