Does low-level arsenic exposure from tap water and food increase heart disease risk?
Yes. Even low-level arsenic exposure, at levels found in some tap water supplies, is linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk including atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
What's actually in it
Arsenic enters drinking water naturally from rock formations and through agricultural runoff. The EPA limit for arsenic in public water is 10 ppb (parts per billion), but research suggests health effects occur below that limit, especially with long-term exposure.
Food is also a source: rice, apple juice, seafood, and some vegetables grown in arsenic-rich soil contribute to dietary arsenic. The combination of water and food sources adds up.
What the research says
A 2026 study on arsenic exposure and emerging cardiovascular biomarkers in an exposed population found that people with higher arsenic exposure had elevated markers of cardiovascular risk, including inflammation and vascular damage indicators. The association held even at relatively low exposure levels.
Arsenic promotes atherosclerosis by increasing oxidative stress in blood vessel walls, promoting inflammation, and impairing the function of the endothelium, the thin layer of cells lining blood vessels. These are the same mechanisms that drive heart attack and stroke.
A reverse osmosis filter or whole-house arsenic treatment system reduces water arsenic most effectively. For food, varying your diet and limiting rice and rice products reduces dietary arsenic accumulation.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Prediction of Emerging CVD Biomarkers in Population Exposed to Arsenic and Their Association | Environ Health | 2026 |
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