Gut bacteria transform arsenic, increase its toxicity.

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EHN synopsis:

* Gut bacteria transforms arsenic, increases its toxicity.

<http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/gut-bacteria-can-increase\

-toxicity-of-arsenic/>

* 30 June 2010

Bacteria living in human intestines can change arsenic's

chemistry, in some cases producing a more toxic form that is

linked to cancer. This is the first report of arsenic becoming

more harmful as it passes through the human digestive track. The

results parallel those found in animal studies and suggest that

regulators may need to take into account the way exposures occur

when determining the health risks associated with arsenic.

**Arsenic metabolism by human gut microbiota upon in vitro digestion of

contaminated soils*. *

Van de Wiele, T, CM Gallawa, KM Kubachka, JT Creed, N Basta, EA Dayton,

S Whitacre, GD Laing and K Bradham. 2010.

Environmental Health Perspectives http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.0901794

<http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.0901794>.