Cancer Risk and Prevention

Arsenic and Cancer Risk

Research has shown that long-term exposure to arsenic can increase the risk of certain cancers. Learn what is known about arsenic and cancer and about ways to help limit your exposure.

What is arsenic?

Arsenic is a natural element in rocks, soil, water, air, plants, and animals. People can also be exposed to arsenic in the environment from some agricultural and industrial sources.

In its pure form, arsenic is a steel gray metal, but it¡¯s usually part of chemical compounds. These fall into 2 main groups.

Inorganic compounds tend to be more toxic and have been linked to cancer. These compounds combine arsenic with elements that do not contain carbon. They are found in building products, such as some pressure-treated wood, and in arsenic-contaminated water.

Organic compounds combine arsenic with elements that contain carbon. They tend to be less toxic than inorganic arsenic compounds. Organic arsenic compounds are found in some foods, such as fish and shellfish.

Does arsenic cause cancer?

Expert agencies have determined that long-term exposure to arsenic might increase the risk of certain cancers.

In general, the ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Cancer Society (ACS) does not determine whether something should be considered a carcinogen (something that can cause cancer). Instead, ACS looks to other respected organizations for this.

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

is part of the World Health Organization (WHO).

IARC classifies arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds as carcinogenic to humans. This is based on sufficient evidence that exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause lung cancer, bladder cancer, and non-melanoma skin cancer. Studies have also found links with kidney, liver, and prostate cancer, although the evidence for these cancers is less certain.

IARC classifies 2 organic arsenic compounds, dimethylarsinic acid (DMA, also known as cacodylic acid) and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

MMA and DMA can be found in the environment, including some agricultural products. They are also made by the human body when it processes inorganic arsenic through a series of chemical reactions called arsenic metabolism.

Studies suggest that people with a higher percentage of MMA and a lower percentage of DMA in their urine might have a higher risk of certain cancers, including bladder, lung, and skin cancer. However, the findings vary across studies and populations. Differences in arsenic metabolism may be influenced by several factors, including genetics, age, sex, nutrition, and duration of exposure. More research is needed to understand how these differences affect cancer risk.

US National Toxicology Program (NTP)

The includes the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

NTP classifies arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds as known human carcinogens.

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The maintains the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), an electronic database of human health effects from exposure to various substances in the environment.

The EPA classifies inorganic arsenic as a human carcinogen, based on evidence in human studies of links to lung, bladder, kidney, skin, and liver cancers.

To learn more about how cancer causes are studied and classified, see and Known and Probable Human Carcinogens.

What do studies show?

Studies in people have focused on long-term intake of arsenic-contaminated water. Several studies have found that long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic increases the risk of cancers in the lung, bladder, and skin.

Studies have also reported links between long-term arsenic exposure and kidney, liver, and prostate cancer. However, the evidence for these cancers is not as consistent as the evidence for lung, bladder, and skin cancer.

How are people exposed to arsenic?

We all take in small amounts of arsenic in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. People can also be exposed to arsenic in other ways, such as through some man-made products.

For most people, food is their largest source of arsenic exposure, although much of this is likely to be in the less dangerous, organic form. Many foods contain arsenic. Foods with the highest levels of arsenic include:

  • Seafood
  • Rice, rice cereal, and other rice products
  • Mushrooms
  • Poultry
  • Some fruit juices

Rice absorbs more arsenic from soil and water than other crops, so most rice products contain some arsenic. The amount varies depending on the type of rice and where it¡¯s grown. Arsenic exposure from rice can be a concern because it¡¯s widely eaten and used in many foods, including cereal for infants and young children.

Drinking water is a common source of arsenic. Because arsenic does not have a taste, testing for arsenic is required in the US to keep the amount within federal safety standards.

In general, the amount of arsenic are low in drinking water in the US, but they are higher in parts of the western US and some other parts of the world.

Natural arsenic levels tend to be higher in drinking water that comes from ground sources, such as wells, as opposed to water from surface sources, such as lakes or reservoirs.

Arsenic is one of the many harmful compounds found in tobacco smoke. People who smoke or who are around others who smoke can be exposed to arsenic in this way.

Arsenic used to be a common ingredient in many pesticides and herbicides. People who made, transported, applied, or worked around these products might have been exposed to higher levels of arsenic. Inorganic arsenic compounds have not been used in pesticides in the US since 1993. Organic compounds were phased out of pesticides as of 2013, although one exception is used on cotton plants.

Arsenic has not been produced in the United States since 1985, but it is still imported from other countries. Some workers in certain areas that use arsenic, such as copper or lead smelting, wood treating, semiconductor manufacturing, and glass manufacturing, might still be exposed to it by breathing in arsenic fumes and dust. Workplace safety regulations help limit this exposure.

People who live near current or former industrial or agricultural sources of arsenic can be exposed to higher levels by inhaling fumes or eating contaminated food. Exposure can occur through contact with older pressure-treated wood, such as wood used for playground sets or treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), which contains arsenic.

Communities that might have contaminated air, soil, or water include those near:

  • Wood preservative industries
  • Glass factories
  • Smelters
  • Farm fields or orchards where arsenic pesticides were used

Burning fossil fuels such as coal can also release small amounts of arsenic into the air.

Are arsenic levels regulated?

Several US government agencies regulate arsenic levels and exposures. Levels are measured in micrograms per liter (¦Ìg/L), which might also be written as parts per billion (ppb).

Drinking water

The EPA has set a limit on the maximum level of arsenic allowed in US drinking water of 10 ppb.

For bottled water, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a limit of 10 ppb.

Certain foods

The FDA has guidance for certain foods that are more likely to contain arsenic. It recommends that manufacturers keep inorganic arsenic below 100 ppb in infant rice cereals and below 10 ppb in apple juice. These are recommendations, not legally enforceable limits.

Environment

The EPA has set limits on the amount of arsenic that industrial sources can release into the environment, and it has restricted the use of arsenic in pesticides.

At work

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the federal agency responsible for health and safety regulations in most workplaces, limits workplace exposure to inorganic arsenic to 10 ¦Ìg per cubic meter of air, averaged over an 8-hour period. OSHA requires employers to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators, to workers who might be exposed to higher levels.

Can I limit my exposure to arsenic?

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element, so it¡¯s not possible to avoid it completely. Most arsenic compounds have no smell or taste, so usually you cannot tell if arsenic is in your air, food, or water. Still, there are some things you can do that might lower your exposure.

Public drinking water systems in the US are required to test for arsenic and to keep it below 10 ppb. If your drinking water comes from a public source, you can find out about the levels of certain substances in your drinking water, including arsenic, by contacting your local water system. You can also access the for information about drinking water safety.

Common household water filters do not effectively remove arsenic. If you get your water from a private source, such as a well, you might want to have your water tested for arsenic levels. People who live in areas with high levels of arsenic in the water might consider using alternative sources of drinking water, such as bottled water.

Some foods naturally contain more arsenic than others.

Seafood

Although there is often arsenic in seafood, it is mainly in the less harmful organic form. Because of this, no expert agencies recommend limiting the amount of seafood you eat due to arsenic exposure.

Rice and rice products

Some types of rice and rice products contain inorganic arsenic, which can be a risk when eaten often. The FDA has recommended that manufacturers limit inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals to 100 ppb.

The FDA and the ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that families eat a wide variety of foods for a well-balanced diet that includes grains such as wheat, barley, and oats. This can help reduce any possible health effects from eating too much of any one type of food.

The FDA says cooking rice in larger amounts of water (similar to how pasta is cooked) and draining the remaining water afterward can lower inorganic arsenic in rice by about half. However, this method can also remove nutrients, especially in white rice. Rinsing rice before cooking has very little effect on arsenic levels and can also remove some nutrients.

Fruit juices

The FDA has found that apple juice has low levels of inorganic arsenic. Due to this, the FDA supports the USDA¡¯s , which recommends that infants under 1 year of age not drink fruit juice.

The AAP has stated that children do not need to drink fruit juice to have a balanced, healthy diet and does not recommend fruit juice for infants younger than 1 year of age.

The AAP also recommends eating more whole fruits and limiting the intake of juice in older children.

Arsenic is present in tobacco smoke, so not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke can help lower your exposure to it.

If you are concerned about arsenic exposure in your workplace, discuss this with your employee health and safety representative or your employer. You can reduce or prevent exposure by using PPE and using safer work practices. If needed, OSHA can provide more information or assistance.

If you are not sure if a wooden playset contains arsenic, check with the manufacturer. However, if this information is not available, it¡¯s better to be safe and reduce exposure.

Protecting children

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that children¡¯s hands and other exposed body parts be thoroughly washed with soap and water after playing on all pressure-treated wood playground equipment. It has also been suggested that children not eat while on wooden playground equipment and wash hands before touching food.

Other protections

The CPSC recommends that CCA-treated wood not be used where regular contact with food or animal feed can occur. If you have a garden vegetable planter made with CCA-treated wood, put a plastic liner in it before filling it with soil to reduce exposure to CCA. Also, regularly applying a sealant on existing CCA-treated wood may lower the amount of arsenic released from the wood.

Arsenic can also be released into the air when cutting or burning CCA-treated lumber. If you cut pressure-treated lumber, use PPE and clean up any sawdust promptly. Do not burn pressure-treated lumber.

Proper disposal

The EPA does not currently recommend removal of CCA-treated lumber, but if you decide to remove CCA-treated wood in a playset, deck, or other structure, contact the EPA or your state or local solid waste management offices to get instructions on how to dispose of it safely.


Where to find more information

The following organizations might also offer helpful information. The ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Cancer Society is not affiliated with or responsible for these resources. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

National Toxicology Program (NTP)

World Health Organization (WHO)

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Cancer Society logo

The ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Cancer Society medical and editorial content team

Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.

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US Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for Industry: Action Level for Inorganic Arsenic in Rice Cereals for Infants. August 2020. Accessed at https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-action-level-inorganic-arsenic-rice-cereals-infants on October 29, 2026.

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Last Revised: October 29, 2026

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