Lung function in adults following in utero and childhood exposure to arsenic in drinking water: preliminary findings.
OBJECTIVE
Evidence suggests that arsenic in drinking water causes non-malignant lung disease, but nearly all data concern exposed adults. The desert city of Antofagasta (population 257,976) in northern Chile had high concentrations of arsenic in drinking water (>800 μg/l) from 1958 until 1970, when a new treatment plant was installed. This scenario, with its large population, distinct period of high exposure, and accurate data on past exposure, is virtually unprecedented in environmental epidemiology. We conducted a pilot study on early-life arsenic exposure and long-term lung function. We present these preliminary findings because of the magnitude of the effects observed.


METHODS
We recruited a convenience sample consisting primarily of nursing school employees in Antofagasta and Arica, a city with low drinking water arsenic. Lung function and respiratory symptoms in 32 adults exposed to >800 μg/l arsenic before age 10 were compared to 65 adults without high early-life exposure.


RESULTS
Early-life arsenic exposure was associated with 11.5% lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) (P = 0.04), 12.2% lower forced vital capacity (FVC) (P = 0.04), and increased breathlessness (prevalence odds ratio = 5.94, 95% confidence interval 1.36-26.0). Exposure-response relationships between early-life arsenic concentration and adult FEV(1) and FVC were also identified (P trend = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Early-life exposure to arsenic in drinking water may have irreversible respiratory effects of a magnitude similar to smoking throughout adulthood. Given the small study size and non-random recruitment methods, further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Arsenic Health Effects Research Program, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-7360, USA.
David C
DC
Dauphiné
Catterina
C
Ferreccio
Sandeep
S
Guntur
Yan
Y
Yuan
S Katharine
SK
Hammond
John
J
Balmes
Allan H
AH
Smith
Craig
C
Steinmaus
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002677:Chile; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000506:poisoning*; D014881:Water Supply
D060766:Drinking Water; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical