Arsenic and Erectile Dysfunction-Drinking Contaminated Well Water Increases Risk

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In the April issue of Environmental Health Perspectives:

 

Arsenic and Erectile Dysfunction

Drinking Contaminated Well Water Increases Risk

 

 

_http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2008/116-4/ss.html#arse_

(http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2008/116-4/ss.html#arse)

Age is the most common risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED), the

consistent or recurrent inability to attain and/or maintain a penile erection

sufficient for sexual performance. The correlation between age and ED is

attributed to declines in testosterone levels; growing evidence links the

condition to

cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well. Now researchers from Taiwan have found

a direct correlation between ED, the decline of testosterone, and exposure

to arsenic via well water—a connection of potential concern for the millions

of men worldwide who drink groundwater contaminated with naturally occurring

arsenic [_EHP 116:532–536; Hsieh et al._

(http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2008/10930/abstract.html) ].

Besides its association with ED, CVD has also been linked to chronic arsenic

exposure, perhaps by reducing the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which is

involved in the control of smooth muscle in blood vessels. In the penis, NO

activates cyclic guanosine monophosphate, which dilates blood vessels, allowing

the penis to become engorged with blood. Testosterone can regulate activity

of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase, which creates NO.

The researchers measured free testosterone levels in the blood of 129 men

with ED and 48 without. The average age of the study participants was about 67

years. Sixty-six of the participants were from an arsenic-endemic area in

northeast Taiwan where residents have used contaminated artesian well water for

more than 50 years. Arsenic exposure was determined by analysis of

participants' well water.

As arsenic exposure of participants increased, so did the risk of ED. The

prevalence of ED was 83.3% among men from the arsenic-endemic area compared

with 66.7% among men outside this area. Moreover, as the arsenic exposure of

the

participants increased, their testosterone levels decreased.

The risk of carotid atherosclerosis increased with increasing levels of

exposure, but only in men who drank well water containing arsenic

concentrations

higher than 50 ppb. These men also had a significantly higher risk of ED than

men who drank water with arsenic concentrations below 50 ppb, even after

adjustments for testosterone levels. Other risk factors for ED did not affect

the associations.

According to the authors, arsenic exposure appears to increase ED risk by

decreasing testosterone levels. However, they speculate that other factors are

at work, as decreases in testosterone did not account for all the ED found in

men with high arsenic exposures. The presence of oxygen free radicals can

inhibit the synthesis of NO and impair blood vessel function. Therefore, the

researchers suggest that oxidative stress from high arsenic exposure may also

increase ED risk.

Kris Freeman

Kelly O’Grady, RN

Executive Director,

The First Six Years

219 Welland St., Pembroke, ON

CANADA K8A 5Y5

Tel: 613-735-0717 Fax: 613-732-2859

Email: _lead_ (lead)

Web: _www.first6years.org_ (http://www.first6years.org)

The First Six Years is a grass roots organization whose primary mandate is

the promotion of optimal social, physical, and environmental conditions for

the development of healthy productive children. We achieve this goal through

the use of environmental monitoring and surveillance and public and

professional education.

 

We recognize that the first six years of a child’s life is an important

period of brain and nervous system development. Childhood, extending from the

prenatal period to approximately age five years is a time of rapid growth and

development. This makes children highly susceptible to the toxic influences

of environmental threats such as lead, mercury, PCBs, pesticides and ionizing

radiation.

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