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HEALTH EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO ARSENIC VIA DRINKING WATER IN INNER MONGOLIA: I. BIOMARKERS FOR ASSESSING EXPOSURE AND EFFECTS
Citation:
Mumford, J. S., M Schmitt, R K. Kwok, R L. Calderon, Y. Xia, K. Wu, L. He, X. C. Le, AND T. Zhang. HEALTH EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO ARSENIC VIA DRINKING WATER IN INNER MONGOLIA: I. BIOMARKERS FOR ASSESSING EXPOSURE AND EFFECTS. Presented at 5th Conference on Arsenic Exposure and Health(SEGH), San Diego, CA, July 14-19, 2002.
Description:
Health Effects of Chronic Exposure to Arsenic via Drinking Water in Inner Mongolia: I. Biomarkers for Assessing Exposure and Effects
Judy L. Mumford, Ph.D., Mike Schmitt, M.S.P.H., Richard K. Kwok, M.S.P.H., Rebecca Calderon, Ph.D., National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Yajuan Xia, M.D. Ke Kong Wu, M.D., Inner Mongolia Center for Endemic Disease Control and Research, Kuan Yang, Li He Anti-epidemic Station, X. Chris Le, University of Alberta, Tong-cun Zhang, National Research Council
The residents of Ba Men, Inner Mongolia have been exposed to high concentrations of arsenic via drinking water and showed health effects. We conducted studies to assess health effects of arsenic, including dermal, DNA and chromosome damage, in Ba Men and to identify biomarkers useful for assessing arsenic exposure and health effects. A total of 321 Ba Men residents, exposed to low (<21 mg/L), medium (100-300 mg/L), or high (450-690 mg/L) concentrations of arsenic were examined for the presence of skin hyperkeratosis, hyperpigmentation or depigmentation. Samples of well water, toenail, and urine were collected and analyzed for arsenic content. Buccal cells were collected and assayed for DNA fragmentation (by TUNEL assay) and micronuclei to assess chromosome damage. Results showed that skin hyperkeratosis and alterations in skin pigmentation were highly associated with arsenic concentrations in water, nails and urine (p<0.001). Increased micronucleus frequency and DNA fragmentation in buccal cells were associated with arsenic concentrations in water and nails (p<0.01). In urine, the percent of methylated arsenicals in relation to total urinary arsenic was decreased (83% for low dose group to 79% for high dose group) as the arsenic concentration in drinking water increased, suggesting limiting capacity for methylation in humans. Nail arsenic was a better exposure biomarker than urinary arsenic for assessing chronic health effects. This study showed that exposure to arsenic was associated with dermal effects as well as DNA and chromosome damage. These biomarkers are potentially useful in early detection of health effects from chronic exposure to arsenic.
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Judy L. Mumford, Ph.D. Human Studies Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, U.S.A.
(This is an abstract of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.)