Arsenic is a human carcinogen. Data on urinary arsenic species analyses of Koreans are limited. This study evaluated the arsenic exposure level, contributing factors, and health effects in Korean adults. Dietary intake information and urine samples were obtained from 2044 participants. Arsenic exposure was assessed based on urinary concentrations of arsenic species, such as inorganic arsenic, As(III) and As(V), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and arsenobetaine (AsB), using high-performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, followed by determination of biomarkers, malondialdehyde and c-peptide. The geometric mean concentrations were 30.9 μg/L for the sum of inorganic arsenic and their metabolites, and 84.7 μg/L for the total sum of arsenic measured. Urinary concentrations of arsenic species were influenced by age, inhabitant area (inland or coastal), and seafood intake, which was positively correlated with inorganic arsenic, DMA, and AsB. Rice intake was positively correlated with inorganic arsenic and its metabolites but not with AsB. Additionally, malondialdehyde and c-peptide levels were significantly associated with urinary concentrations of various arsenic species. Seafood and rice are major sources of organic/inorganic arsenic exposure in Korean adults; however, it is necessary to evaluate whether their overconsumption could have a potentially detrimental effect on human health.

砷是人类致癌物。韩国人尿砷种类分析的数据有限。本研究评估了韩国成年人的砷暴露水平、影响因素和健康影响。从 2044 名参与者那里获得了膳食摄入信息和尿液样本。使用高性能液体，根据尿中砷种类的浓度评估砷暴露，例如无机砷、As(III) 和 As(V)、一甲基胂酸 (MMA)、二甲基胂酸 (DMA) 和砷甜菜碱 (AsB)用电感耦合等离子体质谱法进行色谱分析，然后测定生物标志物、丙二醛和 c 肽。无机砷及其代谢物总和的几何平均浓度为 30.9 μg/L，测量的砷总和的几何平均浓度为 84.7 μg/L。砷种类的尿液浓度受年龄、居住区域（内陆或沿海）和海鲜摄入量的影响，这与无机砷、DMA 和 AsB 呈正相关。大米摄入量与无机砷及其代谢物呈正相关，而与 AsB 无关。此外，丙二醛和 c 肽水平与各种砷种类的尿浓度显着相关。海鲜和大米是韩国成年人接触有机/无机砷的主要来源；然而，有必要评估它们的过度消费是否会对人类健康产生潜在的不利影响。大米摄入量与无机砷及其代谢物呈正相关，而与 AsB 无关。此外，丙二醛和 c 肽水平与各种砷种类的尿浓度显着相关。海鲜和大米是韩国成年人接触有机/无机砷的主要来源；然而，有必要评估它们的过度消费是否会对人类健康产生潜在的不利影响。大米摄入量与无机砷及其代谢物呈正相关，而与 AsB 无关。此外，丙二醛和 c 肽水平与各种砷种类的尿浓度显着相关。海鲜和大米是韩国成年人接触有机/无机砷的主要来源；然而，有必要评估它们的过度消费是否会对人类健康产生潜在的不利影响。