Low-level groundwater arsenic exposure impacts cognition: a project FRONTIER study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Arsenic is a widespread environmental toxin known to affect neurological health.
• Research on the impact of low-level groundwater arsenic on adult and elder cognition is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between cognitive functioning and low concentrations of arsenic in drinking water among rural adults and elders.
• To explore the relationship between arsenic exposure levels and cognitive performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Geographic Information System (GIS) approach to estimate arsenic concentrations in groundwater (GIS-arsenic).
• Assessed cognitive function using the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in 299 rural participants.
• Compared cognitive scores and education levels between groups with high (> 10.0 microg/L) and low (<= 10.0 microg/L) GIS-arsenic exposure.

Main Results:

• Participants in the higher GIS-arsenic exposure group (> 10.0 microg/L) exhibited significantly lower MMSE scores compared to the low exposure group (p < .03).
• The number of years of education was also significantly lower in the high GIS-arsenic exposure group (p < .05).

Conclusions:

• Higher, even low-level, exposure to arsenic in drinking water is associated with poorer cognitive functioning in a rural adult population.
• Findings suggest a potential link between environmental arsenic exposure and reduced educational attainment.