Reduction in urinary arsenic with bottled-water intervention.
The study was conducted to measure the effectiveness of providing bottled water in reducing arsenic exposure. Urine, tap-water and toenail samples were collected from non-smoking adults residing in Ajo (n=40) and Tucson (n=33), Arizona, USA. The Ajo subjects were provided bottled water for 12 months prior to re-sampling. The mean total arsenic (microg/L) in tap-water was 20.3+/-3.7 in Ajo and 4.0+/-2.3 in Tucson. Baseline urinary total inorganic arsenic (microg/L) was significantly higher among the Ajo subjects (n=40, 29.1+/-20.4) than among the Tucson subjects (n=32, 11.0+/-12.0, p<0.001), as was creatinine-adjusted urinary total inorganic arsenic (microg/g) (35.5+/-25.2 vs 13.2+/-9.3, p<0.001). Baseline concentrations of arsenic (microg/g) in toenails were also higher among the Ajo subjects (0.51+/-0.72) than among the Tucson subjects (0.17+/-0.21) (p<0.001). After the intervention, the mean urinary total inorganic arsenic in Ajo (n=36) dropped by 21%, from 29.4+/-21.1 to 23.2+/-23.2 (p=0.026). The creatinine-adjusted urinary total inorganic arsenic and toenail arsenic levels did not differ significantly with the intervention. Provision of arsenic-free bottled water resulted in a modest reduction in urinary total inorganic arsenic.
Josyula
Arun B
AB
Environmental and Occupational Health, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University ofArizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA.
McClellen
Hannah
H
Hysong
Tracy A
TA
Kurzius-Spencer
Margaret
M
Poplin
Gerald S
GS
Stürup
Stefan
S
Burgess
Jefferey L
JL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001130:Arizona; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D004326:Drinking; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000737:chemistry*; D014034:Toes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001151:Arsenic