title: Groundwater contaminated with hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)]: a health survey and clinical examination of community inhabitants (Kanpur, India).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We assessed the health effects of hexavalent chromium groundwater contamination (from tanneries and chrome sulfate manufacturing) in Kanpur, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  The health status of residents living in areas with high Cr (VI) groundwater contamination (N = 186) were compared to residents with similar social and demographic features living in communities having no elevated Cr (VI) levels (N = 230). Subjects were recruited at health camps in both the areas. Health status was evaluated with health questionnaires, spirometry and blood hematology measures. Cr (VI) was measured in groundwater samples by diphenylcarbazide reagent method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Residents from communities with known Cr (VI) contamination had more self-reports of digestive and dermatological disorders and hematological abnormalities. GI distress was reported in 39.2% vs. 17.2% males (AOR = 3.1) and 39.3% vs. 21% females (AOR = 2.44); skin abnormalities in 24.5% vs. 9.2% males (AOR = 3.48) and 25% vs. 4.9% females (AOR = 6.57). Residents from affected communities had greater RBCs (among 30.7% males and 46.1% females), lower MCVs (among 62.8% males) and less platelets (among 68% males and 72% females) than matched controls. There were no differences in leucocytes count and spirometry parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Living in communities with Cr (VI) groundwater is associated with gastrointestinal and dermatological complaints and abnormal hematological function. Limitations of this study include small sample size and the lack of long term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Petroleum Toxicology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: Priti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Vipin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bihari
authors.forename: Sudhir K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Vipin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Chandrasekharan N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Kesavachandran
authors.forename: Balram S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Pangtey
authors.forename: Neeraj
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mathur
authors.forename: Kunwar Pal
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Mithlesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Srivastava
authors.forename: Sudhir K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Goel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D002857:Chromium / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D060587:Groundwater / Q000032:analysis*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002857:Chromium; C074702:chromium hexavalent ion