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NEUROSENSORY EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO ARSENIC VIA DRINKING WATER IN INNER MONGOLIA: II. VIBROTACTILE AND VISUAL FUNCTION
Citation:
Otto, D A., T. J. Wade, J. S. Mumford, A. Geller, H. K. Hudnell, Y. Li, Y. Xia, K. G. Wu, L. He, Z. Ning, B. X. Zhao, H. Y. Lin, AND R. K. Kwok. NEUROSENSORY EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO ARSENIC VIA DRINKING WATER IN INNER MONGOLIA: II. VIBROTACTILE AND VISUAL FUNCTION. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH. IWA Publishing, London, Uk, 4(1):39-48, (2006).
Impact/Purpose:
To assess the effects of exposure to arsenic in drinking water on visual and vibrotactile function
Description:
This study was designed to assess the effects of exposure to arsenic in drinking water on visual and vibrotactile function in residents of the BaMen region of Inner Mongolia, China. Arsenic was measured by hydride generation atomic fluorescence. 321 participants were divided into three exposure groups-- low (0-20), medium (100-300) and high (400-700 ?g /l) arsenic in drinking water. Three visual tests were administered: acuity, contrast sensitivity and color discrimination (Lanthony's Desaturated 15 Hue Test). Vibration thresholds were measured with a vibrothesiometer. Vibration thresholds were significantly elevated in the high exposure group, indicating effects as low as 400 ?g /l. Regression analysis suggested effects at even lower levels. These findings provide the first evidence that chronic exposure to arsenic in drinking water impairs vibrotactile function. The results also indicate that arsenic affects neurological function well below the 1000 ?g /l concentration reported by NRC (1999). No evidence of arsenic-related effects on visual function was found.