Effect and mechanism of arsenic on nervous system in human and animals: a review

Arsenic is a metal element existing in nature. According to World Health Organization (WHO), the standard concentration of arsenic in drinking water is 10 ug/L . However, arsenic concentration in drinking water in many developing countries exceeds this standard. With the widespread use of arsenic in production and life, a number of nervous system problems caused by human arsenic exposure have been concerned worldwide. Although a small amount of arsenic accumulates in the nervous system , it has become a research focus in recent years based on nervous system′s sensitivity and post-injury irreversibility. The study reviews the effect and mechanism of arsenic on nervous system for providing evidences to prevention and control of arsenic poisoning among populations.