Prevalence of chronic diseases in adults exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water.
Inorganic arsenic is naturally occurring in groundwaters throughout the United States. This study investigated arsenic exposure and self-report of 9 chronic diseases. We received private well-water samples and questionnaires from 1185 people who reported drinking their water for 20 or more years. Respondents with arsenic levels of 2 microg/L or greater were statistically more likely to report a history of depression, high blood pressure, circulatory problems, and bypass surgery than were respondents with arsenic concentrations less than 2 microg/L.
Zierold
Kristina M
KM
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, 800 Sumter St, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. zierold@gwm.sc.edu
Knobeloch
Lynda
L
Anderson
Henry
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001151:Arsenic / Q000633:toxicity*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D014881:Water Supply; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001151:Arsenic