Drinking Water Affects Flu Susceptibility
Arsenic Has a Negative Effect on Boosting the Immune System
May 23, 2009
Arsenic is a naturally occurring semi-metal. It can be found in ground water (the source of many municipal water supplies) and also in wells. Arsenic can also enter the drinking water supply through industrial and agricultural activities. It is harmful when consumed, showing both long-term and short-term health effects. Several forms of cancer have been linked to long term arsenic exposure.
Environmental Factors as an Influenza Risk Factor
Influenza affects a significant portion of the population annually with many of the infected individuals succumbing to the complications associated with the disease. There are many well known risk factors that make individuals more susceptible to a fatal flu infection. These risk factors include the person's age (young children and the older population), the presence of a chronic illness or the state of the immune system. These risk factors however do not explain the cluster type of fatalities that are sometimes seen in influenza outbreaks.
In a previous study, hydrocarbons which are common environmental contaminants were shown to affect a body’s anti-viral effect (Hogaboam JP, Moore AJ, Lawrence BP . “The aryl hydrocarbon receptor affects distinct tissue compartments during ontogeny of the immune system.” Toxicol Sci 2008 102(1):160-170.) The flu virus may also be affected by environmental factors.
Arsenic Disrupts the Immune System Increasing the Severity of the Flu
Arsenic does not accumulate in the body, but regular exposure to the semi-metal can keep concentrations in the body at an elevated level. Chronic (long-term) arsenic exposure changes genes that affect the body’s immune response making it a prime target for influenza anti-viral research.
In a published study, researchers set out to determine if the arsenic-compromised immune system could affect how the body reacted to Influenza A (H1N1) commonly known as the “Swine Flu,” and the H5N1 Virus (Avian bird flu). They took a group of mice and fed them arsenic-contaminated water and then exposed them to the Influenza Virus. The results showed that the mice’s ability to clear the virus from their lungs was severely compromised in the mice population that had previously been exposed to arsenic (Kozul et al. “Low Dose Arsenic Compromises the Immune Response to Influenza A Infection in vivo.” Environmental Health Perspectives, Online May 20, 2009).
Arsenic has no taste, color or smell. To protect against a compromised immune system, it is imperative for well owners to test for arsenic. This is especially important in the drier months when well water levels drop which inadvertently releases more arsenic into the groundwater. The USEPA has set safe standards for drinking water Arsenic levels, it is important to stay diligent and make sure that those standards are being met within local communities. Removing arsenic from water supplies might be the difference between surviving and dying during a flu outbreak.
 |
