Which statement is true about arsenic exposure?

• A. Contaminated drinking water is not a concern
• B. Exposure occurs mainly through air when outdoors
• C. Exposure is primarily via contaminated drinking water
• D. Arsenic exposure is always immediately lethal

Answer: (C)

Arsenic exposure for most people comes from contaminated drinking water. In many regions, groundwater contains natural arsenic, and people who rely on it for drinking and cooking accumulate exposure over time, which is linked to serious health problems like skin changes, various cancers, and cardiovascular disease. Exposure through the air matters mainly in specific occupational settings where arsenic-containing dust or fumes are present, not as the primary route for the general population. While very high acute doses can be fatal, typical environmental exposure is usually chronic and not immediately lethal. So the true statement is that exposure is primarily via contaminated drinking water.