title: Role of complex organic arsenicals in food in aggregate exposure to arsenic.
abstract: For much of the world's population, food is the major source of exposure to arsenic. Exposure to this non-essential metalloid at relatively low levels may be linked to a wide range of adverse health effects. Thus, evaluating foods as sources of exposure to arsenic is important in assessing risk and developing strategies that protect public health. Although most emphasis has been placed on inorganic arsenic as human carcinogen and toxicant, an array of arsenic-containing species are found in plants and animals used as foods. Here, we 2evaluate the contribution of complex organic arsenicals (arsenosugars, arsenolipids, and trimethylarsonium compounds) that are found in foods and consider their origins, metabolism, and potential toxicity. Commonalities in the metabolism of arsenosugars and arsenolipids lead to the production of di-methylated arsenicals which are known to exert many toxic effects. Evaluating foods as sources of exposure to these complex organic arsenicals and understanding the formation of reactive metabolites may be critical in assessing their contribution to aggregate exposure to arsenic.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacokinetics Branch, Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. Electronic address: thomas.david@epa.gov.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Public Health Chemistry Branch, Exposure Methods and Measurements Division, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bradham
mesh_terms: D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology; D001152:Arsenicals; D002273:Carcinogens; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005502:Food; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D001152:Arsenicals; D002273:Carcinogens
keywords: Arsenic; Arsenobetaine; Arsenolipids; Arsenosugars