ABSTRACT
Background: Arsenic toxicity from ground water contamination is highly focused public health problem in Bangladesh. Consumption of arsenic contaminated water may be associated with respiratory symptoms and can decrease lung functions along with skin lesion. Proper investigation of this problem is crucial to prevent respiratory complications in these arsenic vulnerable populations. Objectives: FVC, FEV1, FEV1/ FVC % were studied in chronic arsenicosis patients with skin lesion from arsenic exposed area to observe their lung function status. In addition, correlations of these lung function parameters with arsenic concentration in drinking water and duration of consumption were also studied in this group of population. Study design: For this, total 80 subjects age ranged from 20-50 years of both sexes were included. Among them 40 were patients of chronic arsenicosis with skin lesion and were taken in study group and age and sex matched 40 apparently healthy subjects residing in the same arsenic contaminated area but without skin lesion, were designated as control group. Methods: This study was carried out in the department of Physiology, BSMMU from July 2005 to June 2006. FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC % were measured by Digital Spirometer. Arsenic level of the tubewell water was determined by Hybrid Generation Atomic Absorbance Spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed statistically by Chi- square test, Student’s unpaired “t” test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient test as applicable. Results: The mean percentage of predicted values of FVC, FEV1 in exposed non-arsenicosis subjects were within normal ranges. Again they were significantly lower in chronic arsenicosis patients. There was no significant difference in FEV1/FVC% between the two groups. FVC and FEV1 were negatively correlated with arsenic concentration in tube well water in both groups. But FEV1/FVC% was negatively correlated in exposed nonarsenicosis subjects and positively correlated in arsenicosis patients. Again, with duration of consumption of arsenic contaminated tube well water, FVC was positively and FEV1/FVC% was negatively correlated in both exposed non arsenicosis and chronic arsenicosis patients. But FEV1 was negatively correlated in non arsenicosis and positively correlated in chronic arsenicosis patients. But all the relationships were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Therefore, the result of the present study reveals that arsenicosis patients are suffering from respiratory insufficiency. In addition, populations consuming higher arsenic concentration in drinking water are at the risk of lung function impairment and ultimately may lead to respiratory disorder.