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HEALTH EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO ARSENIC VIA DRINKING WATER IN INNER MONGOLIA: II. VIBROTACTILE AND VISUAL MEASURES FINAL DOCUMENT TITLE.
Citation:
Otto, D A., J. L. Mumford, R K. Kwok, K. Hudnell, Y H. Li*, Y. Xia, K. Wu, Z. Ning, AND L. He. HEALTH EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO ARSENIC VIA DRINKING WATER IN INNER MONGOLIA: II. VIBROTACTILE AND VISUAL MEASURES FINAL DOCUMENT TITLE. Presented at 5th Conference on Arsenic Exposure and Health Efects, San Diego, Ca, July 14-19, 2002.
Description:
HEALTH EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO ARSENIC IN DRINKING WATER IN INNER MONGOLIA: II. VIBROTACTILE AND VISUAL MEASURES.
David Otto, Ph.D., Judy Mumford, Ph.D., Richard Kwok, M.S.P.H., Ken Hudnell, Ph.D.,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Yanhong Li, M.D., Yajuan Xia, M.D. and Kegong Wu, M.D., Inner Mongolia Center for Endemic Disease Control and Research; Ling Ling He, B.S., BaMen Anti-epidemic Station; Biaziao Shao, B.S., Lin He Anti-epidemic Station, China .
Exposure to arsenic via inhalation, oral or dermal pathways is known to produce peri-pheral neuropathy in humans. A variety of neurotoxic symptoms including auditory, visual and somatosensory were reported (Ma et al, 1995) in Mongolian farmers living in the Yellow River Valley (YRV) where the drinking water is contaminated by arsenic. In the present study, a brief sensory battery including tests of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, color discrimination (Lanthony D-15) and tactile sensitivity was administered to 321 YRV residents. Tactile thresholds in the 2nd and 5th fingers of both hands were assessed using a biothesiometer and as-cending method of limits. Participants were divided into 3 exposure groups: low (<21 ug/L); medium (100-300 ug/L) and high (400-700 ug/L) arsenic in well water. Three measures of As exposure were obtained: water, urinary and toe nail. Results indicate significantly higher vibrotactile thresholds in the high exposure group compared to low and medium groups. Similar effects were observed with the three measures of exposure, although the associations were strongest with urinary and weakest with nail measures. No significant differences were found in any visual measures. Arsenic is presently regulated as a carcinogen. Results of the current study indicate neurosensory effects of arsenic exposure at concentrations well below the 1000 ug/L level specified by NRC (1999) and suggest that non-carcinogenic end-points such as tactile thresholds are useful in the risk assessment of exposure to arsenic in drinking water.
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: David Otto, EPA/Human Studies Division (MD-58B), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
DISCLAIMER: This is an abstract of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.