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Objective:The arsenic content of drinking water in Aksu Prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (referred to as Xinjiang) was analyzed to understand the distribution of arsenic content and arsenic form of water in each county and city.Methods:In 2020, a total of 117 waterworks and villages (towns) under the jurisdiction of waterworks in 7 counties and 2 cities were randomly sampled, arsenic content in water was detected by atomic fluorescence spectrometry, and arsenic form in water was detected by liquid chromatography atomic fluorescence spectrometry.Results:A total of 626 water samples were collected, 614 water samples with water arsenic content < 0.01 mg/L, accounting for 98.08%; 12 water samples with water arsenic content 0.01 - < 0.05 mg/L, accounting for 1.92%; and there was no water sample with arsenic content ≥0.05 mg/L. The form of arsenic in excessive water sample in Aksu Prefecture was found to be five-valent arsenate. The arsenic content in the water of Awati County was the highest (0.004 6 mg/L).Conclusions:There are still some counties and cities with high arsenic content in water in Aksu Prefecture, and there are still hidden dangers of drinking-water brone endemic arsenism. Therefore, the water treatment technology should be improved or the water sources should be changed to prevent endemic arsenism.
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Resumen El agua que es consumida por los seres humanos diariamente, también conlleva la ingesta de algunos compuestos químicos, como lo es el arsénico, metaloide que al ser consumido crónicamente es perjudicial para la salud, mismo al que algunos trabajadores podrían estar expuestos en su lugar de trabajo. En las pericias médico forenses los metales toman relevancia cuando producen intoxicaciones, teniendo que discernir si dichas intoxicaciones están en relación con la actividad laboral que desempeña el evaluado o si por el contrario, se deben a la exposición ambiental por consumo en agua o alimentos contaminados en sus hogares. El arsénico es un compuesto muy tóxico, que al no tener sabor ni olor se puede consumir en el agua inadvertidamente, causando un hidroarsenicismo agudo o crónico. Se ha comprobado que el mismo tiene impactos a nivel del sistemas dermatológico, cardiovascular, inmunológico, neurológico, hepático, renal y respiratorio, con influencia en el desarrollo embrionario y con propiedades carcinogénicas importantes. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica en diferentes bases de datos, de los artículos publicados referentes al tema de los últimos doce años, con el objetivo de estudiar las características del Arsénico, su metabolismo y su impacto en la salud de los seres humanos. Se concluye que en Costa Rica es necesario un estudio de poblaciones de riesgo de exposición a arsénico, debido a que es un país con múltiples actividades económicas básicas antropogénicas y por presentar una alta cantidad de volcanes distribuidos en su territorio. Por su parte el médico forense al realizar peritajes en casos de intoxicación debe de analizar ampliamente la relación de causalidad antes de asegurar o descartar la relación laboral.
Abstract The water that is consumed by human beings on a daily basis, also entails the intake of some chemical compounds, such as arsenic, a metalloid that when consumed chronically is harmful to health, the same to which some workers could be exposed in their workplace. In forensic medical expertise, metals become relevant when they produce intoxications, having to discern if such intoxications are related to the work activity performed by the person being evaluated or if, on the contrary, they are due to environmental exposure by consumption of contaminated water or food in their homes. Arsenic is a very toxic compound that, since it has no taste or odor, can be consumed inadvertently in water, causing acute or chronic hydroarsenicism. It has been proven that it has impacts on the dermatological, cardiovascular, immunological, neurological, hepatic, renal and respiratory systems, with influence on embryonic development and with important carcinogenic properties. A bibliographic review was made in different databases, of the articles published on the subject in the last twelve years, with the objective of studying the characteristics of arsenic, its metabolism and its impact on the health of human beings. It is concluded that a study of populations at risk of exposure to arsenic is necessary in Costa Rica, due to the fact that it is a country with multiple basic anthropogenic economic activities and because it has a high number of volcanoes distributed in its territory. The forensic doctor, on the other hand, when performing expert opinions in cases of intoxication, should analyze the causal relationship before assuring or discarding the work relationship.
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Humans , Arsenic Poisoning/prevention & control , Costa RicaABSTRACT
Objective To study the relationship between hair selenium content and arsenism among population from endemic arsenism area caused by coal combustion in the southern of Shaanxi Province.Methods Four high-arsenic-exposed villages in southern Shaanxi Province were selected as the study area,and the nonarsenic-exposed villages nearby were selected as the control area,90 hair samples of residents exposed to high arsenic in the study area and 14 hair samples of residents in the control area were collected.Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the contents of arsenic and selenium in hair samples.Selenium/hair arsenic (Se/As) value was calculated,and the relationship between selenium content in hair samples and arsenicosis was analyzed.Results The geometric mean of selenium concentration in hair from the study area was 8.72 mg/kg,which was significandy higher than that from the control area (0.54 mg/kg,t =9.811,P ＜ 0.05).However,selenosis case was not found in the study area.Selenium content in hair was not obviously correlated with arsenism (r =0.075,P ＞ 0.05),while the Se/As value was negatively associated with the grade of arsenism (P ＞ 0.05).The geometric mean of selenium content in hair of female from the study area was 12.79 mg/kg,which was higher than that in hair of male (6.5 mg/kg,t =1.738,P ＜ 0.01).Meanwhile,the Se/As value in hair of female from the study area (1.15) was significantly higher than that in hair of male (0.65,t =3.218,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The environment of the study area is polluted by arsenic and selenium derived from stone-coal burning.Antagonism between arsenic and selenium might reduce the toxicity of selenium.Therefore,selenosis is not found in the study area.In addition,antagonism between arsenic and selenium might also induce lower prevalence of arsenism for female in the studly area.
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Objectives To monitor the residents prevalence of endemic arsenism in the disease affected areas in Inner Mongolia, so as to provide feasible suggestions for control of arsenism in the future. Methods Monitoring data were obtained from the Project of Endemic Disease Prevention Granted by Central Government in 2010 - 2012, and the conditions of arsenism patients from 38 endemic arsenic villages were analyzed among different year, age and gender. Results The detection rate of arsenism of the 38 surveillance villages was 7.38%(517/7 004) in 2010, 7.10%(482/6 784) in 2011 and 6.62% (431/6 514) in 2012. The arsenism patients of mild;moderate and severe cases from 2010 to 2012, accounted for 74.47% (385/517), 74.27% (358/482), 75.17% (324/431); 16.83% (87/517), 16.60% (80/482), 15.78% (68/431) and 8.7% (45/517), 9.13% (44/482), 9.05% (39/431), respectively. For skin lesions, the detection rates of keratosis, pigmentation and depigmentation from 2010 to 2012, were 8.08%(566/7 004), 7.90%(536/6 784), 7.77%(506/6 514);3.27%(229/7 004), 3.29%(223/6 784), 2.87%(187/6 514) and 6.68% (468/7 004), 6.63% (450/6 784), 5.82% (379/6 514), respectively, showed a declining trend. It also showed a declining trend with age, and the patients were mainly 40 years old people and older, and the highest detection rate was in the 60- 70 years old group[15.54%(143/920)、14.72%(135/917)、13.36%(136/1 018)]. For gender distribution, the detection rate of the three years was higher in male than female [male 8.24%(300/3 639), 7.99%(283/3 542), 7.71%(260/3 372);female 6.45%(217/3 365), 6.14%(199/3 242), 5.44%(171/3 142),χ2=8.24, 8.77, 13.54, all P〈0.01]. Conclusion There is no big change of arsenism conditions in 2010-2012, with a slight declining trend.
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Objectives To analyze the clinical characteristics of drinking-water type endemic arsenism in population lived in the diseased areas before and after water improvement in Inner Mongolia,so as to assess the natural development and the effects of human intervention measures.Methods Residents of four villages lived in Hangjinhouqi Bayinnaoer city Inner Mongolia were followed-up and their skin lesions were examined in 2004 (before water improvement),2010 (complete water improvement),2014 (after water improvement).Meanwhile,blood pressure and heart rate of the subjects were measured.The arsenic poisoning skin damage indexing was in accordance with endemic arsenic poisoning diagnostic criteria (WS/T 211-2001).Results Totally,229,122,161 people were investigation in 2004,2010,2014,respectively.The clinical grading of arsenic exposed population were mainly normal and suspicious cases in 2004,accounting for 61.6％ (141/229) and 22.7％ (52/229),respectively.The clinical grading of normal,suspicious,mild and severe cases were 20.5％ (25/122),31.1％ (38/122) and 48.4％ (59/ 122),respectively,in 2010,which were significantly different compared with those of 2004 (x2 =68.53,P ＜ 0.01).The clinical grading percentages of normal and suspicious of the subjects in 2014 were 46.6％ (75/161) and 39.8％ (64/161),respectively,which were significantly different compared with those of 2010 (x2 =45.22,P ＜ 0.01).Meanwhile,91 subjects examined in 2004 were re-examined in 2010 and 47 subjects examined in 2010 were reexamined in 2014.Totally,12 cases were migitation,accounting for 13.2％ (12/91),52 cases were aggravation,accounting for 57.1％ (52/91) in 2010,and 25 cases were migitation,accounting for 53.2％ (25/47),9 cases were aggravation,accounting for 19.1％ (9/47) in 2014.The differences of skin lesion transition between these two periods were significant (x2 =28.66,P ＜ 0.05).In addition,the systolic pressures and diastolic pressure of the subjects were (132.19 ± 21.21),(126.99 ± 18.32),(147.69 ± 22.65);(84.88 ± 14.13),(76.52 ± 10.08),(84.39 ± 13.89)mmHg in 2004,2010 and 2014,respectively,which declined in 2010 compared with them of 2004 (all P ＜ 0.05) and raised in 2014 compared with them of 2010 (all P ＜ 0.01).The heart rate of the subjects were (76.05 ± 12.56),(78.86 ± 11.69),(82.05 ± 11.26)times/min.The heart rate of the subjects raised in 2010 and 2014 compared with that of 2004 (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The skin lesions induced by arsenism could be effectively alleviated through water improvement,but the late stage changes such as the cardiovascular system injury are still worthy of attention.
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Objective To investigate the current situation of coal-burning-borne endemic arsenism in the disease affected areas,the usage of anti-arsenism stove and the formation of related behavior;,to evaluate the control effect,so as to provide a basis for development of control strategies.Methods Surveillances were carried out according to the provisions and requirements of The Surveillance Project for Shaanxi Institute Coal-Burning-Borne Endemic Arsenicosis (Trial.).Four villages in two counties of Ankang city and Hanzhong city in Shaanxi Province were monitored in 2010-2014.Using simple random sampling method,10 families in each village were randomly selected to survey the situation of the stove used and related behavior changes.Five households in each village were randomly selected; arsenic level in coal was determined; high arsenic exposed population was investigated according to Endemic Arsenism Diagnostic Criteria (WS/T 211-2001).Urine samples of 30 patients with arsenism were randomly selected to determine the arsenic content.Results The proper utilization rate and the qualified households of improved stoves and iron stoves were all low; the correct drying rate and the correct storage rate of peppers and corns were higher than 95％.The washing rate of corns and peppers before eating were all 100％.A total of 100 copies of coal samples were tested and the arsenism content was between 12.295-455.827 mg/kg,and the geometric mean value of the arsenism content was (91.819 ± 80.989)mg/kg.Seventeen thousand eight hundred and fifty-five individuals were investigated and 1 232 cases of arsenism were diagnosed in the 4 villages; the prevalence rate was 6.90％ (1 232/17 855); urinary arsenism content was between not detected-0.287 mg/L; and the geometric mean value of the arsenic content was 0.033 mg/L.Conclusions The coal-burning-borne endemic arsenism in Shaanxi is in a prevalent state; many anti-arsenism stoves are out of order; and the proper utilization rate is low.To strengthen the disease surveillance,health education and management of anti-arsenism stoves are key measures in control of coal-burning borne endemic arsenism in the future.
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Objective To investigate the distribution of high-arsenic drinking water in Honghu city of Hubei province in order to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of endemic arsenic disease.Methods Investigations were made in 22 townships(towns,districts),68 natural villages of the drainage areas of the Dongjing River,the Neijing River and the Yangtse River in 2006 and 2007,with the townships(towns,districts)around Shahu town in Xiantao city as the focal point.1000 water samples were drawn each year,which was 10% of all the wells in every natural village.Using sampling investigation,water arsenic Was determined by half-quantitative fast reagent kit.All samples of water with arsenic exceeding the standard(≥0.03 mg/L)were re-determined according to state standard.Surveys on the disease was carried out in the villages(brigades)where arsenic exceeded the standard.Results A total of 2000 samples were surveyed from 68 natural villages,of which there were 401 samples from 48 villages exceeding the standard in a rate of 20.05%(401/2000).The highest arsenic content Was 0.71 mg/L.The high arsenic water sources were distributed mainy in the drainage areas of the Dongjing River and the Neijing River,but no patients with endemic arsenic disease were found.Conclusions The high arsenic water sources are distributed mainly in the drainage areas of the Dongjing River and the Neijing River.It is suggested that the interrelated government departments should take precise measures to impmve the quality of drinking water and ensure safe water to the residents in high arsenic areas.
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Objective To investigate the status of the disease of the fluorosis and arsenism caused by coal-burning in Ankang city of Shaanxi. Methods Nine survey spots were chosen to carry out the epidemiological investigation of adult skeletal fluorosis and arsenism in the coal-polluted areas of Ankang, respectively using Determination of Fluorine in Coal (GB/T 4633-1997) to determine the coal fluorine and using hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry(HCAFS) to determine coal arsenic. The diagnose of the adult skeletal fluorosis followed the Diagnosis of Clinical Classification for Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis Standard(GB 16396-1996), that of arsenism using Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Arsensim (WS/T 211-2001). Results Totally 569 adults were investigated over the age of 16, among which 121 cases were skeletal fluorosis, with a total detection rate of 21.27%. Four cases of II degree and higher skeletal fluorosis patients were identified, accounting for 0.70% of the number of subjects. One hundred and thirty-two cases of arsenic poisonin were detected, in a rate of 23.20%. Ninety-five patients were identified with moderate or severe arsenic poisoning, accounting for 16.69% of subjects. A positive correlation was found between the detection rates of the skeletal fluorosis and the arsenism(r = 0.816, P < 0.01), as well as between the detection rate of skeletal fluorosis and fluoride content of coal(r = 0.775, P < 0.05). The detection rate of arsenism and arsenic content of coal also had close relationship (r = 0.761, P < 0.05). The detection rate of skeletal fluorosis in the group aged 40 - ,50 - , and 60 - [27.20%(34/125) ,29.27%(36/123), 28.13%(36/128)] was increased, compared the group of less than 40 years age[7.77%( 15/193), X~2 = 21.969,25.648,23.856,P<0.01].For the detection rate of arsenism,male[33.67%(99/294)]was obviously higher than female[12.00%(33/275),)(X~2=37.162,P<0.01].Conclusions A high detection rate of fhorosis is correlated with arsenic poisoning,but the probability of the two diseases simultaneously occurred in a person is not high.In this polluted area.when fluoride accumulates to a certain level as in aduh,the detection rates no longer varies obviously;however,that of arsenism increases along with the age.
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Objective To investigate the effect of sodium arsenite combined with cigarette smoke solution on NF-?B in rat lymphocytes. Methods Rat lymphocytes were divided into 4 groups: the arsenite treatment group, the CSS treatment group, the arsenite and CSS treatment group, and the control group. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays was used to detect levels of NF-?B DNA binding. Western blot was used to detect protein expression of I?B?. Results Levels of NF-?B DNA binding in the CSS treatment group and the arsenite treatment group were significantly increased (P
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This article reports the results of the quantitative analysis for the DNA content of cell nucleus of the skin lesion in patients with endemic arsenism by using the technique of flow cytometry, the skin lesions include palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, abnormal pigmentation on trunk and skin cancers. Our results showed that the DNA indices of the different skin lesions of patients in endemic arsenism were significantly higher than those of controls(P
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Objective To understand the situation of indoor air fluoride and arsenic pollution caused by coal-burning and the impact of the pollution on children health in the rural area,southern Shaanxi Province.Method 77 fluoride samples and 186 arsenic samples were collected in 65 investigated villages of 5 counties in southern Shaanxi Province.13 120 children aged 8-12 years were selected for dental fluorosis examination,13 386 children aged 6-18 years for arsenism examination.Results Both of the average content of fluoride and arsenic in the indoor air exceeded the national standard limit.Fluorine content was 0.001-0.541 mg/m3 with an average of 0.038 4 mg/m3,arsenic content was 0.00-63.83 ?g/m3 with an average of 4.76 ?g/m3.The prevalence rates of dental fluorosis and arsenism were 45.50% and 1.86% respectively.Conclusion The indoor air fluoride and arsenic pollution caused by coal-burning in the investigated rural area is serious and the pollution has caused the prevalence of endemic fluorosis and endemic arsenism among the local children.