Spatial and temporal variations in arsenic exposure via drinking-water in northern Argentina.
This study evaluated the spatial, temporal and inter-individual variations in exposure to arsenic via drinking-water in Northern Argentina, based on measurements of arsenic in water, urine, and hair. Arsenic concentrations in drinking-water varied markedly among locations, from <1 to about 200 microg/L. Over a 10-year period, water from the same source in San Antonio de los Cobres fluctuated within 140 and 220 microg/L, with no trend of decreasing concentration. Arsenic concentrations in women's urine (3-900 microg/L, specific weight 1.018 g/mL) highly correlated with concentrations in water on a group level, but showed marked variations between individuals. Arsenic concentrations in hair (range 20-1,500 microg/kg) rather poorly correlated with urinary arsenic, possibly due to external contamination. Thus, arsenic concentration in urine seems to be a better marker of individual arsenic exposure than concentrations in drinking-water and hair.
Concha
Gabriela
G
Swedish National Food Administration, Toxicology Division, 75126, Uppsala, Sweden.
Nermell
Barbro
B
Vahter
Marie
M
D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D016482:Urinalysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001151:Arsenic