| Research
Briefs 2003
April 3, 2003
Drinking water arsenic may inhibit DNA repair
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Angeline Andrew
Ph.D. |
Though arsenic has been known
as a poison since ancient times, people in many regions of
the world consume small amounts of arsenic every day in their
drinking water. Exposure to these relatively small doses of
arsenic has been linked to several kinds of cancer. However,
little is known about the mechanism involved. In a new study,
Dartmouth researchers Angeline Andrew, Margaret Karagas, and
Joshua Hamilton report that exposure to arsenic may inhibit
a critical process that enables cells to repair damaged DNA.
By interfering with that essential housekeeping function,
arsenic may push flawed cells along the path that leads to
cancer. The study is published in the current issue of the
International Journal of Cancer. MORE>>
[Abstract]
Decreased DNA Repair Gene Expression Among Individuals
Exposed to Arsenic in United States Drinking Water
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