Arsenic in Drinking Water Raises Heart Disease Risk
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/6/2026
Arsenic in drinking water is raising cardiovascular disease biomarkers in exposed populations. The water you drink could be quietly damaging your heart.
What the Study Found
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis analyzed studies on populations exposed to arsenic-contaminated water and found associations with emerging cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers. These biomarkers predict heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure before symptoms appear.
Arsenic damages blood vessels, promotes inflammation, and disrupts the systems that regulate blood pressure and cholesterol. Chronic low-level exposure from drinking water is enough to shift these biomarkers.
Where Arsenic Water Contamination Occurs
Well water is the most common source. Arsenic is naturally present in rock and soil and leaches into groundwater. Some municipal water supplies also have detectable levels. The problem is worst in parts of South Asia, Latin America, and the rural US.
What You Can Do
Test your water for arsenic, especially if you use a well. Install a reverse osmosis filter. Don't assume municipal water is arsenic-free. Know your local water quality report.
Check out our non-toxic kitchen alternatives for water filtration.
Also see glass food containers for safer alternatives.