Analysis of the outcome of surveillance of endemic arsenium in Gansu Province

Abstract

Objective To explore the distribution of high-arsenic drinking water and prevalence of endemic arsenism in Gansu Province in order to provide basis for prevention. Methods According to State Screening Project of High-arsenic Drinking Water in 2006, 12 counties were investigated to determine the content-arsenic in Gansu Province. The level of arsenic content in drinking water was determined by silver dithyldithiocarbamate spectrophotometric method and atomic fluorescence method. Patients with endemic arsenium were diagnosed with The Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Arsenium(WS/T 211-2001). Results A total of 11 360 samples of 540 villages, 145 townships, and 12 counties were surveyed. Twenty two high-arsenic wellsprings were found in Chenxian and Xiahe Counties and the rate was 0.19%( 12/11 360). The highest content-arsenic in Sasuoma Village of cool-wellspring was 0.970 mg/L. The endemic arsenium was studied in 17 high-arsenic villages. In Xiahe, 4 patients were diagnosed, the morbidity rate of endemic arsenium in Wangtang, Wanken, Wananang Villages was lower 10%. Detection rate was 49.68%(77/155) in Sasouma Village, 1 case of Boweens was found. The youngest patient was only 2 years old, and the oldest one 82 years old. The highest Detection rate of Han population was 81.25% (13/16), Hui 50.56%(45/89), and Zang 38.00% (19/50). According to The Standard for Determining Affected Area of Endemic Arsenism, the village was claimed to be seriously affected area in the type of cool-wellspring of drinking water arsenic. No patient was found in other villages. Conclusions High-arsenic areas are broadening in recent years. In some places, the prevalence of this disease is very serious. The affected area belongs to drinking water arsenic of cool-wellspring type. Key words: Arsenic poisoning; Drinking; Data collection