 |
|
Risk for skin lesions increases with low-dose exposure to arsenic in drinking water
June 15, 2006Mailman School of Public Health study provides evidence that a population exposed to well water with arsenic concentrations of as little as 50 ug/l is at risk for skin lesions
Millions of persons around the world are exposed to low doses of arsenic through drinking water. However, up until now estimates of the health effects associated with low-dose exposure had been based on research from high-dose levels. In a study of more than 11,000 people in Bangladesh, research conducted by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health clearly provides evidence that a population exposed to well water with arsenic concentrations of as little as 50 ug/l is at risk for skin lesions. The report also concludes that older, male, and thinner participants were more likely to be affected by arsenic exposure.
The Mailman School team of researchers evaluated the relationship between arsenic exposure from drinking water and premalignant skin lesions over the course of three years. Participants were evaluated for arsenic exposure based on well-water arsenic concentration and usage. "Because of the wide range of arsenic exposure in the study population and the relatively large sample size, we were able to estimate and report dose-response relations even at the very low end of the arsenic exposure range. In particular, arsenic exposure seems to increase the risk of skin lesions at the low end of exposure in this population," said Habibul Ahsan, M.D., MMedSc, associate professor and director of the Center for Genetics in Epidemiology in the Department of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health and principal investigator.
The researchers indicate that a unique opportunity exists in Bangladesh to study chronic arsenic exposure measured at the individual level, because the majority of the population uses a single well as their primary source of drinking water, while, for example, in the United States, people usually drink water from multiple sources. However, up until now even assessments at the individual level were extremely difficult because exposures measurements were from years past or the Bangladeshi population drank water from multiple sources.
Another obvious difference between the rural population of Bangladesh and other studied populations is that this population consumes a large amount of water, as much as 2.5—3 liters per day on average vs. 1 liter in the United States. Moreover, almost 100 percent of the drinking water for this population comes from one or two wells with relatively stable concentrations of arsenic.
The team of researchers note that skin lesions were less of a factor in the study for females in the study, and this may be due to the tendency of women in rural Bangladesh tend to cover their bodies more extensively than men. "It also is possible that hormonal and other biologic differences between men and women also could be responsible for part of the gender differences in the skin lesion risks," observed Joseph Graziano, Ph.D., Mailman School associate dean for research, professor of Pharmacology & Public Health, and professor of Environmental Health Sciences.
The study also found some evidence that participants with a higher body mass index were at lower risk of skin lesions than participants with a lower body mass index. "Lower body mass index reflects poorer nutritional status in rural Bangladesh, which could directly or indirectly influence the effect of arsenic. In particular, poor nutritional status may be associated with lower intake of the antioxidants, folates, and/or dietary proteins necessary for metabolism and detoxification of arsenic in the body, said Dr. Ahsan." The influence by gender, age and body mass should be considered in future research and policy decisions.\\\
Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health
The researchers indicate that a unique opportunity exists in Bangladesh to study chronic arsenic exposure measured at the individual level, because the majority of the population uses a single well as their primary source of drinking water, while, for example, in the United States, people usually drink water from multiple sources. However, up until now even assessments at the individual level were extremely difficult because exposures measurements were from years past or the Bangladeshi population drank water from multiple sources.
Another obvious difference between the rural population of Bangladesh and other studied populations is that this population consumes a large amount of water, as much as 2.5—3 liters per day on average vs. 1 liter in the United States. Moreover, almost 100 percent of the drinking water for this population comes from one or two wells with relatively stable concentrations of arsenic.
The team of researchers note that skin lesions were less of a factor in the study for females in the study, and this may be due to the tendency of women in rural Bangladesh tend to cover their bodies more extensively than men. "It also is possible that hormonal and other biologic differences between men and women also could be responsible for part of the gender differences in the skin lesion risks," observed Joseph Graziano, Ph.D., Mailman School associate dean for research, professor of Pharmacology & Public Health, and professor of Environmental Health Sciences.
The study also found some evidence that participants with a higher body mass index were at lower risk of skin lesions than participants with a lower body mass index. "Lower body mass index reflects poorer nutritional status in rural Bangladesh, which could directly or indirectly influence the effect of arsenic. In particular, poor nutritional status may be associated with lower intake of the antioxidants, folates, and/or dietary proteins necessary for metabolism and detoxification of arsenic in the body, said Dr. Ahsan." The influence by gender, age and body mass should be considered in future research and policy decisions.\\\
Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health
Arsenic Current Events and Arsenic News RSSMIT scientists pinpoint origin of dissolved arsenic in Bangladesh drinking water
Researchers in MIT's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering believe they have pinpointed a pathway by which arsenic may be contaminating the drinking water in Bangladesh, a phenomenon that has puzzled scientists, world health agencies and the Bangladeshi government for nearly 30 years.
Answering that age-old lament: Where does all this dust come from?
Where does it come from? Scientists in Arizona are reporting a surprising answer to that question, which has puzzled and perplexed generations of men and women confronted with layers of dust on furniture and floors.
Geologists studying groundwater arsenic levels in India empower Bengali women, children
A Kansas State University geologist and graduate student are finding that the most important tools in their fieldwork on groundwater arsenic pollution are women and children armed with pamphlets and testing kits.
New X-ray technique illuminates reactivity of environmental contaminants
A chemical reaction can occur in the blink of an eye.
Water quality in orbit
Space is not a fun place to get a stomach bug. To ensure drinking water is adequately disinfected, University of Utah chemists developed a two-minute water quality monitoring method that just started six months of tests aboard the International Space Station.
People vary widely in ability to eliminate arsenic from the body
Large variations exist in peoples' ability to eliminate arsenic from the body, according to a new study that questions existing standards for evaluating the human health risks from the potentially toxic substance.
Finding key to cancer drug Gleevec's limitations
University of Michigan researchers have developed an animal model that provides strong evidence why imatinib, marketed as Gleevec, helps patients with chronic myeloid leukemia survive longer, but does not keep the disease from returning if treatment ends.
Silicon with afterburners: Process developed at Rice could be boon to electronics manufacturer
Scientists at Rice University and North Carolina State University have found a method of attaching molecules to semiconducting silicon that may help manufacturers reach beyond the current limits of Moore's Law as they make microprocessors both smaller and more powerful.
Superconductivity: Which one of these is not like the other?
Superconductivity appears to rely on very different mechanisms in two varieties of iron-based superconductors.
Prairie dogs: influencing the accumulation of metals in plants?
Prairie dogs may seem like harmless little creatures, but they can inflict serious injury on plants simply by snacking on them. Plants cannot flee from their furry predators, so how do they avoid becoming a prairie dog's lunch?
More Arsenic Current Events and Arsenic News Articles
 |
Arsenic: Environmental Chemistry, Health Threats and Waste Treatment by Kevin Henke (Author) This book presents an overview of the chemistry, geology, toxicology and environmental impacts of arsenic, presenting information on relatively common arsenic minerals and their key properties. In addition, it includes discussions on the environmental impacts of the release of arsenic from mining and coal combustion. Although the environmental regulations of different nations vary and change over time, prominent International, North American, and European guidelines and regulations on arsenic will be reviewed. Includes information on recent environmental catastrophes (e.g. Bangladesh and China) A thorough discussion of the arsenic cycle, including the cosmological origin of arsenic Includes Appendices providing extensive glossary and measurement... |
 |
Environmental Chemistry of Arsenic (Books in Soils, Plants, and the Environment) by William T. Frankenberger Jr (Editor) Details the latest advances in the prevention and control of arsenic and arsenic compounds in the air, soil, and water and offers the most recent and analytical methods for the detection and study of arsenic in the environment and human body. |
 |
Arsenic and Old Lace Starring: Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Raymond Massey, Jack Carson, Edward Everett Horton Directed By: Frank Capra Also With: Sol Polito (Cinematographer), Frank Capra (Producer), Daniel Mandell (Editor), Jack L. Warner (Producer), Joseph Kesselring (Writer), Julius J. Epstein (Writer), Philip G. Epstein (Writer) You'll die laughing! Frank Capra directs Cary Grant, Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre and stellar cast in the hit Broadway farce about a nutcase family with well-intentioned homicidal tendencies. |
 |
Arsenic (The Elements) by Chris Cooper (Author) |
|
Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring (Author) | |
 |
Boiron - Natrum Arsenic.30c, 75 pellets by Boiron |
 |
Arsenic and Old Lace: A Play in Three Acts (Dramatists Play Service) by Joseph Kesselring (Author) Arsenic and Old Lace: A Play in Three Acts (Dramatists Play Service) |
 |
Preservation of Arsenic Species (Awwarf Report) by Gautam Samanta (Compiler), Dennis A Clifford (Compiler) In order to establish effective treatment removal strategies for arsenic, it is important to know the actual concentrations of As(III) and As(V) in drinking waters. Due to its anionic character, As(V) can be removed more easily than As(III). The distribution of As(III) and As(V) species depends greatly on the abundance of redox-active solids, especially organic carbon, the activity of microorganisms, and the extent of diffusion of O2 from the atmosphere. In strongly reducing aquifers, As(III) is the dominant species based on the thermodynamic considerations, whereas As(V) is the more stable oxidation state under oxic conditions or in oxygenated waters. Based on extensive experimental results in Fe(II)-contaminated challenge water, it was found that EDTA-HAc could be used to preserve the... |
 |
Arsenic and Old Lace Starring: Cary Grant, Josephine Hull, Jean Adair, Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre Directed By: Frank Capra Also With: Frank Capra (Producer), Jack L. Warner (Producer) |
![Arsenic and Old Lace [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5184MX4WBML._SL160_.jpg) |
Arsenic and Old Lace [VHS] Starring: Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Raymond Massey, Jack Carson, Edward Everett Horton Directed By: Frank Capra Also With: Sol Polito (Cinematographer), Frank Capra (Producer), Daniel Mandell (Editor), Jack L. Warner (Producer), Joseph Kesselring (Writer), Julius J. Epstein (Writer), Philip G. Epstein (Writer) Frank Capra made this film in 1941 before he went off to make films for America's war effort, but it wasn't released until 1944. Adapted from the hit play by Joseph Kesselring, this frantic black comedy shows Capra at his best as a master of mood and timing. Actresses Josephine Hull and Jean Adair reprise their Broadway performances as two gentle old ladies who poison men with elderberry wine to put them out of their misery. Cary Grant plays one nephew, a normal guy who just gets wind of their little hobby and tries to get them to stop, while Raymond Massey plays another, a villain just escaped from jail. Capra encourages the cast, especially Grant, to give a somewhat more outsized performance than one might expect. But made during the war years as it was, this overstated comic approach... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |