Health Fact Sheets
Inorganic-related arsenic concentrations in Canadians, 2014 and 2015

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Inorganic and organic arsenic occurs naturally in the environment. Both forms of arsenic can enter the human body through ingestion of food or drinking water, absorption through the skin from direct contact with soil, or by inhalation of ambient air. Inorganic arsenic is more abundant and toxic compared to organic arsenic^{Note 1} and will be the focus of this fact sheet. Once it has entered into the body, inorganic arsenic is distributed and stored primarily in skin, bone, and muscle.^{Note 2} Absorption and metabolism of inorganic arsenic in the body results in the presence of inorganic-related arsenic species such as arsenate, arsenite and their metabolites dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA). These inorganic-related arsenic species are removed from the body through urine.  While DMA and MMA may also originate from exposure to organic arsenic, the measures of these four analytes provide an indicator of overall recent exposure to inorganic arsenic.^{Note 3Note 4Note 5Note 6Note 7} Depending on the type and duration of exposure, inorganic arsenic may cause cancer, neurological problems, circulatory problems, respiratory problems, skin irritation, or nausea and vomiting.^{Note 8} While the presence of any of these arsenic species in urine is an indicator of recent exposure, it does not necessarily mean that an adverse health effect will occur.

Cycle 4 (2014 and 2015) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), measured the concentrations of the inorganic-related arsenic species (arsenate, arsenite, DMA and MMA) in the urine of approximately 2500 Canadians aged 3 to 79. Results were reported in micrograms of arsenic per litre (μg As/L).

Arsenic detected in the majority of the Canadian population

Results from the 2014 and 2015 CHMS indicate that the vast majority of Canadians had at least one of the four species of inorganic-related arsenic detected in their urine. Arsenite was detected in 32%, DMA in 96% and MMA in 31% of the Canadian population aged 3 to 79 (Chart 1). For a chemical to be detected, it means that the concentration in urine was above the limit of detection (LOD). In contrast to the other species, arsenate was below the limit of detection for nearly 100% of the population. For more information on the LOD, see the “Analytical Notes” section.

Males (95%) and females (97%) had a similar detectable level of DMA. While more males (36%) than females (28%) had a detectable level of arsenite, and more males (34%) than females (27%) had a detectable level of MMA, neither difference was statistically significant (Chart 1).

Significant differences were observed when comparing arsenite and MMA each by age group. Age groups 12 to 19 and older were significantly more likely to have a detectable level of arsenite than children aged 3 to 5 (Chart 2a). In addition, those aged 12 to 19 (37%) and 20 to 39 (38%) were significantly more likely to have a detectable level of MMA than 3 to 5 year olds (22%) and 60 to 79 year olds (22%) (Chart 2b).

Average concentrations of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA)

The average concentration of DMA in Canadians aged 3 to 79 was 3.5 μg As/L. Males had a higher average concentration (3.6 μg As/L) than females (3.4 μg As/L), although this difference was not significant. The greatest difference by sex within the same age group was between males (4.0 μg As/L) and females (3.2 μg As/L) aged 20 to 39 years, however this difference was also not significant. For more information about averages for arsenate, arsenite or MMA, see the “Analytical Notes” section.

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