Assessment of arsenic levels in body samples and chronic exposure in people using water with a high concentration of arsenic: a field study in Kutahya.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of skin lesions, which is a health effect of chronic arsenic (As) exposure, and determine the hair/blood arsenic concentrations of people living in Kutahya villages who are using and drinking tap water with a high concentration of arsenic.


METHODS
A total of 303 people were included in the present cross-sectional study. A prepared questionnaire form was used to collect the participants' information and environmental history. Skin examination was performed on all participants. Hair, blood and water samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The cumulative arsenic index (CAI) was calculated for all participants.


RESULTS
Villages were divided into two groups according to the arsenic level (<20 μg/L, Group I; >20 μg/L, Group II) in their water. The prevalence of skin lesions, hair and blood arsenic level, and CAI were found to be higher in the Group II participants. There was a positive association between body arsenic levels and CAI in the participants of each group.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of skin lesions and arsenic concentrations in body samples were found to increase with the water arsenic level and exposure time. We hope that sharing this study's results with local administrators will help accelerate the rehabilitation of water sources in Kutahya.
Department of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Dumlupinar University, Kutahya, Turkey E-mail : iciarikan@hotmail.com.
Inci
I
Arikan
Nazli Dizen
ND
Namdar
Cuneyt
C
Kahraman
Merve
M
Dagci
Ezgi
E
Ece
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001151:Arsenic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D060766:Drinking Water; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001151:Arsenic