Abstract
Recent epidemiological studies have reported adverse health effects, including skin cancer, due to low concentrations of arsenic via drinking water. We conducted a study to assess whether low arsenic contaminated ground water affected health of the residents who consumed it. For precise biomonitoring results, the inorganic (trivalent arsenite (As III) and pentavalent arsenate (As V)) and organic forms (monomethylarsonate (MMA) and dimethylarsinate (DMA)) of arsenic were separately quantified by combining high-performance liquid chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy from urine samples. In conclusion, urinary As III, As V, MMA, and hair arsenic concentrations were significantly higher in residents who consumed arsenic contaminated ground water than control participants who consumed tap water. But, most health screening results did not show a statistically significant difference between exposed and control subjects. We presume that the elevated arsenic concentrations may not be sufficient to cause detectable health effects. Consumption of arsenic contaminated ground water could result in elevated urinary organic and inorganic arsenic concentrations. We recommend immediate discontinuation of ground water supply in this area for the safety of the residents.
Highlights
Arsenic is present in the form of inorganic arsenic and organic arsenic in ecological environments.The toxicity of arsenic is different according to the type, and inorganic arsenic is more toxic than organic arsenic, of these, trivalent arsenite is more toxic than pentavalent arsenate [1].Inorganic arsenic is mainly derived from the environment, and organic arsenic is mainly consumed as food
The results showed that the inorganic arsenic concentration was significantly higher in the exposure group (2.31 (1.62–3.31) μg/L) than in the control group (0.94 (0.61–1.44) μg/L, p < 0.001)
We presume that the elevated arsenic concentrations may not be sufficient to cause detectable health effects in a period of less than one year, human exposure of arsenic could occur via other chemical exposure pathways, including ingestion of contaminated residential soil, inhalation of soil dust, dermal contact to the residential soil [30], and ingestion of contaminated agricultural foods [31]
Summary
Arsenic is present in the form of inorganic arsenic and organic arsenic in ecological environments.The toxicity of arsenic is different according to the type, and inorganic arsenic is more toxic than organic arsenic, of these, trivalent arsenite is more toxic than pentavalent arsenate [1].Inorganic arsenic is mainly derived from the environment, and organic arsenic is mainly consumed as food. Arsenic is present in the form of inorganic arsenic and organic arsenic in ecological environments. The toxicity of arsenic is different according to the type, and inorganic arsenic is more toxic than organic arsenic, of these, trivalent arsenite is more toxic than pentavalent arsenate [1]. Inorganic arsenic is mainly derived from the environment, and organic arsenic is mainly consumed as food. In the risk assessment, it is necessary to distinguish between inorganic arsenic and organic arsenic. Arsenic exposure via drinking water is a very important public health concern worldwide. The severity of the health effects of arsenic in drinking water is constantly being reevaluated by various government agencies. Hyperkeratosis, hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation [2]
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