Low Arsenic Exposure Risk in Endemic Population, Cohort Study for Consecutive Years

Abstract

The arsenic intake through drinking water and daily diets and the arsenic concentration in urine of the 84 regular individuals were estimated over the three consecutive years, where the arsenic concentrations of drinking/cooking water were decreased gradually over the years. Study on the same participants over the years minimized the physiological factor(s) controlling arsenic absorption and excretion. Median daily dietary arsenic intake was 164 µg in males and 134 µg in females in Year-I. Arsenic removal filters were supplied to the inhabitants for arsenic-safe water supply and arsenic concentration in drinking/cooking water decreased (p 50 µg/L irrespective of sex and study years, and was associated (p = 0.05) to dietary arsenic intake. Individuals with skin lesion had more arsenic concentration in urine (p < 0.01) than the participants without skin lesion. Even after using low arsenic-contaminated (< 10 µg/L) water, 41, 28 and 43% participants, respectively, in consecutive years, exceeded the EFSA-designated benchmark dose lower confidence limit. The use of arsenic-safe water in drinking/cooking is not the only safe way to be arsenic safe for the endemic population.