Arsenic Exposure in Korea: Present Insights and Future Directions in Human Biomonitoring and Health Outcome Assessment

This article summarizes the historical development and current research trends of arsenic exposure and health outcome studies in Korea, focusing on the transition from environmental media-based assessments to human biomonitoring (HBM)-centered approaches and environmental epidemiology.In the early 2000s, arsenic research in Korea was established through investigations of soil and groundwater contamination in abandoned mining areas, integrated with exposure assessment and quantitative risk assessment, which provided a scientific basis for understanding multi-pathway exposure reflecting Korea-specific characteristics.During the 2010s, urinary arsenic measurements were incorporated into the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the Korean National Environmental Health Survey, enabling population-based exposure assessment as well as epidemiological studies that suggested associations between arsenic exposure and metabolic disorders and selected health indicators.However, arsenic assessment in national HBM data has relied on total arsenic concentrations, and measurements were limited to the period from 2008 to 2011.The subsequent discontinuation of arsenic monitoring has resulted in structural limitations for long-term exposure trend analysis and policy application.This article critically reviews this limitation as key research gaps in current arsenic studies in Korea.Furthermore, this article suggests that the reintroduction of arsenic speciation analysis into HBM programs and the establishment of long-term monitoring frameworks are essential for advancing arsenic research and strengthening environmental health policy in Korea.