title: Arsenic-induced toxicity and carcinogenicity: a two-wave cross-sectional study in arsenicosis individuals in West Bengal, India.
abstract: In the state of West Bengal in India, over 26 million individuals are exposed to arsenic via drinking water. Dermatological, non-dermatological disorders and cancers are associated with arsenic toxicity. Of late, there has been a decrease in the arsenic concentration in drinking water owing to governmental efforts, raising the possibility of remediation. A cross-sectional study was conducted, where 189 arsenicosis and 171 unexposed individuals were recruited at two time points, (2005-06 and 2010-11) with concomitant decrease in the level of arsenic exposure via drinking water in the arsenicosis group in 2010-11. Parameters studied included dermatological, non-dermatological health status and cytogenetic damage. Decrease of arsenic exposure (190.1 μg/l to 37.94 μg/l) resulted in significant decline in the number of individuals having dermatological disorders (P<0.01) and in the severity of each dermatological outcome (P<0.0001). Micronucleus formation in urothelial cells and lymphocytes decreased significantly (P<0.001). However, there was a significant (P<0.001) rise in the incidence of each of the non-dermatological diseases, that is, peripheral neuropathy, conjunctivitis and respiratory distress over the period. Thirteen (6.87%) of the initially recruited arsenicosis individuals died of cancer, in this period. Remediation by arsenic-safe drinking water can reduce dermatological manifestations and cytogenetic insult; but is unable to counter the non-dermatological symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Human Genetics Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (A Unit of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi), 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: Somnath
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Nandana
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Pritha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bhattacharjee
authors.forename: Mayukh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: Jayanta K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Nilendu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sarma
authors.forename: Ajoy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarkar
authors.forename: Apurba K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bandyopadhyay
authors.forename: Tanmoy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Sau
authors.forename: Santanu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basu
authors.forename: Saptarshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: Papia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Majumder
authors.forename: Ashok K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Giri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001151:Arsenic / Q000633:toxicity*; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015197:Carcinogenicity Tests; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000737:chemistry; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D015162:Micronucleus Tests
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D060766:Drinking Water; D001151:Arsenic