title: Arsenic exposure in pregnancy: a population-based study in Matlab, Bangladesh.
abstract: This study assessed the exposure of pregnant women to arsenic in Matlab, Bangladesh, an area with highly-elevated concentrations of arsenic in tubewells, by measuring concentrations of arsenic in urine. In a defined administrative area, all new pregnancies were identified by urine test in gestational week 6-8, and women were asked to participate in the assessment of arsenic exposure. Urine for analysis of arsenic was collected immediately and in gestational week 30. In total, 3,426 pregnant women provided urine samples during January 2002-March 2003. There was a considerable variation in urinary concentrations of arsenic (total range 1-1,470 microg/L, adjusted to specific gravity 1.012 g/mL), with an overall median concentration of 80 microg/L (25th and 75th percentiles were 37 and 208 microg/L respectively). Similar concentrations were found in gestational week 30, indicating no trend of decreasing exposure, despite the initiation of mitigation activities in the area. Arsenic exposure was negatively associated with socioeconomic classes and achieved educational level. There were marked geographical variations in exposure. The results emphasize the urgent need for efficient mitigation activities and investigations of arsenic-related reproductive effects.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. marie.vahter@ki.se
authors.forename: Marie E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Vahter
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Barbro
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nermell
authors.forename: Anisur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Shams
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El Arifeen
authors.forename: Mahfuzar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Lars Ake
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Persson
authors.forename: Eva-Charlotte
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ekström
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001151:Arsenic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000652:urine; D001459:Bangladesh; D004522:Educational Status; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016482:Urinalysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001151:Arsenic