Decrements in lung function related to arsenic in drinking water in West Bengal, India.
During 1998-2000, the authors investigated relations between lung function, respiratory symptoms, and arsenic in drinking water among 287 study participants, including 132 with arsenic-caused skin lesions, in West Bengal, India. The source population involved 7,683 participants who had been surveyed for arsenic-related skin lesions in 1995-1996. Respiratory symptoms were increased among men with arsenic-caused skin lesions (versus those without lesions), particularly "shortness of breath at night" (odds ratio (OR) = 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1, 7.6) and "morning cough" (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.2, 6.6) in smokers and "shortness of breath ever" (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 0.7, 20.6) in nonsmokers. Among men with skin lesions, the average adjusted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was reduced by 256.2 ml (95% CI: 113.9, 398.4; p < 0.001) and the average adjusted forced vital capacity (FVC) was reduced by 287.8 ml (95% CI: 134.9, 440.8; p < 0.001). In men, a 100-microg/liter increase in arsenic level was associated with a 45.0-ml decrease (95% CI: 6.2, 83.9) in FEV1 (p = 0.02) and a 41.4-ml decrease (95% CI: -0.7, 83.5) in FVC (p = 0.054). Women had lower risks than men of developing skin lesions and showed little evidence of respiratory effects. In this study, consumption of arsenic-contaminated water was associated with respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function in men, especially among those with arsenic-related skin lesions.
von Ehrenstein
Ondine S
OS
Arsenic Health Effects Research Program, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-7360, USA.
Mazumder
D N Guha
DN
Yuan
Yan
Y
Samanta
Sambit
S
Balmes
John
J
Sil
Arabinda
A
Ghosh
Nilima
N
Hira-Smith
Meera
M
Haque
Reina
R
Purushothamam
Radhika
R
Lahiri
Sarbari
S
Das
Subhankar
S
Smith
Allan H
AH
D000328:Adult; D001151:Arsenic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water; D001151:Arsenic