A large systematic review and meta-analysis has found that environmental exposure to nonessential elements like arsenic, cadmium, and vanadium is linked to higher risk of urologic cancers. Researchers analyzed 68 studies spanning over 23,000 records. Arsenic exposure was associated with a 72% increased risk of overall urologic cancer, particularly bladder, prostate, and urothelial cancers. The risk rose with drinking-water arsenic concentrations above 10 µg/L. Cadmium was linked to a 38% increased risk, and vanadium to a 15% increased risk. The authors note that high study heterogeneity limits causal inference, but findings support stricter water safety regulations.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, estimates that reducing arsenic levels to 10 µg/L could prevent up to 31.8 cancer cases per 100,000 people annually in high-exposure regions. No significant link was found for kidney cancer. The evidence for lead and nickel was inconsistent. Public health implications highlight the need for improved global water quality standards and further prospective studies.