Grantee Research Project Results
1999 Progress Report: A Dose-Response and Susceptibility Investigation of Skin Keratoses and Hyperpigmentation due to Ingestion of Arsenic in Drinking Water
EPA Grant Number: R826137Title: A Dose-Response and Susceptibility Investigation of Skin Keratoses and Hyperpigmentation due to Ingestion of Arsenic in Drinking Water
Investigators: Smith, Allan H.
Institution: University of California - Berkeley
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: September 5, 1997 through September 4, 2000 (Extended to October 31, 2001)
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 5, 1998 through September 4, 1999
Project Amount: $861,788
RFA: Arsenic Health Effects Research (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Human Health , Water
Objective:
The first detailed assessment of the dose-response relationship of arsenic-induced keratoses and hyperpigmentation is nearing completion, and a key objective is to determine if susceptibility varies by arsenic methylation capability and nutritional factors, such as methionine and cysteine. Arsenic methylation is being assessed by urinary assays. Nutritional status is being determined by blood measurements of key macronutrients and micronutrients as well as by analysis of a dietary questionnaire.Progress Summary:
A case-control study was begun that takes advantage of the largest population-based survey conducted in an arsenic-affected area of West Bengal, India. The landmark survey, conducted between 1995 and 1996, included over 7,000 participants, 400 of whom were found to have arsenic-induced skin lesions. Approximately 280 of the 400 individuals with skin lesions were exposed to drinking water containing less than 500 µg/l of inorganic arsenic. A target of 200 individuals with the skin lesions comprise the case group for the present investigation. The control group consists of 200 lesion-free individuals randomly selected from the cross-sectional survey database matched on age and sex. Interviews commenced June 1998, and by the end of December 1999, the field team will reach its target goal of completing interviews for nearly 200 cases and 200 controls.Data obtained from personal interviews and chemical analyses of drinking water samples will be used to assess arsenic exposure. The interviews consist of questions about lifetime residential history, water sources at work, and fluid consumption. The clinical exam involves various dermatologic, neurologic, respiratory, and hepatic endpoints. A dietary questionnaire supplemented with results of blood assays will be used to ascertain the participants' nutritional status. Urinary assays will be used to determine arsenic methylation efficiency.
More than 370 participants have been interviewed through November 30, 1999, and water, urine and blood samples for these individuals have been transported to the U.S. by research personnel for analyses. Chemical analyses for arsenic content in drinking water and urine samples have commenced at the University of Washington. Nutritional analyses of blood specimens have commenced at Pacific Biometrics Institute, Seattle, Washington.
By building upon an existing study, the present investigation was specifically designed to identify the shape of the dose-response curve for arsenic and skin lesions, and to detect a possible threshold. Because keratoses and hyperpigmentation are the most common and earliest occurring endpoints of chronic ingestion, and because evidence suggests that these skin lesions are biomarkers of subsequent cancer risks, this study will significantly contribute to a fuller understanding of the long-term health effects of consuming water containing low levels of arsenic.
Future Activities:
Study activities are on schedule. Interviewing and sample collection will continue in India on the remaining 30 participants, while chemical analyses of water, urine, and blood samples will continue at U.C. Berkeley. Data editing and entry of interview questionnaires, analyses, and preparation of scientific papers for publication have commenced by research personnel at the University of California at Berkeley. Final reports will be completed by summer 2000.Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 7 publications | 5 publications in selected types | All 5 journal articles |
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Guha Mazumder DN, Haque R, Ghosh N, De BK, Santra A, Chakroborty D, Smith AH. Arsenic levels in drinking water and the prevalence of skin lesions in West Bengal, India. International Journal of Epidemiology<\em> 1998;27(5):871-77. |
R826137 (1999) R826137 (2000) R826137 (Final) |
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Guha Mazumder DN, Haque R, Ghosh N, De BK, Santra A, Chakroborty D, Smith AH. Arsenic in drinking water and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in West Bengal, India. International Journal of Epidemiology 2000;29:1047-1052. |
R826137 (1999) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
arsenic, health effects, epidemiology, case control study, dose-response, drinking water, human health, susceptibility, metabolism, carcinogen, nutrition, diet, metals, India., Health, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Toxics, POLLUTANTS/TOXICS, National Recommended Water Quality, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Health Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, genetic susceptability, Environmental Chemistry, Arsenic, Disease & Cumulative Effects, Drinking Water, Environmental Monitoring, Water Pollutants, dietary exposure, health effects, quantifying exposure, toxic environmental contaminants, health risks, metabolism, community water system, heavy metals, hepatic endpoints, biological markers, harmful environmental agents, toxicity testing, ingestion, urinary assays, dermatology, water quality, age-related differences, biological threshold, risk assessment, human exposure, susceptibility, cancer risks, carcinogenesis, dose dependency, dietary ingestion exposures, monitoring, residential populations, skin cancer susceptibility, exposure, gender, drinking water system, drinking water contaminants, nutritional factors, micronutrients, biomedical research, predictive toxicology, skin cancer, keratoses, age, dose-response models, dietary sources, survey, effects, environmental toxicant, dose-response, human health effects, public water systems, dietary questionnaire, biomarkers, exposure assessment, long-term exposure, public health, cancer risk, hyperpigmentation, skin keratoses, arsenic exposure, biomarker data, case-control study, IndiaRelevant Websites:
http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~asrg Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.