ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the basic distribution of endemic areas in the type of drinking water arsenism and in Xiantao City,Hubei Province,and to offer a scientific basis for control and prevention.Methods According to"the Chinese Scheme of Implementing Surveillance of Distribution of Endemic Arsenism",considering with the special geography feature of Xiantao,both sampling and overall survey were used in 7 towns chosen.The water arsenic content was determined by half quantitative fast reagent-box method.We began to search for clues and patients according to the endemic areas and the families with high arsenic wells.Results High endemic arsenic water sources were distributed in 7 the towns(districts or farms).In 81 villages of Xiantao City,35 villages had drinking water arsenic content exceeding 0.05 mg/L,accounting for 43.21%(35/81).In 4020 screened wells,269 had arsenic content higher than the national standard,the detective rate of high arsenic wells(more than 0.05 mg/L)was 6.69%(269/4020),with the highest rate in Shahu Seed Plant being 13.56%(115/848).The population exposed to high arsenic was 1091,in a rate of 5.75%(1091/18 975),in which 281 children were exposed in a rate of 5.82%(281/4826).In Shahu Seed Plant,467 people including 129 children were exposed to high arsenic, accounting for 13.26%(467/3522)and 12.91%(129/999),respectively.Conclusions High arsenic sources widely exist in Xiantao City,especially in Shahu Seed Plant,where arsenic content,the exposed rate of population and children are high.Therefore,prevention and control should be carried out in the southeast as soon as possible,as well as in other places where situation is less serious.