Contenido de arsénico, conocimiento y actitud en el consumo del agua de pozo familiar / Arsenic content, knowledge and attitude in family well water consumption / Conteúdo de arsênico, conhecimento e atitude em relação ao consumo doméstico de água de poço

La contaminación por arsénico del agua de consumo humano, es un problema de salud pública, porque produce diversas enfermedades cancerígenas y de piel. Objetivo. Determinar niveles de arsénico en el agua de pozos, y evaluar el grado de conocimiento y actitud sobre el consumo del agua familiar. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 96 muestras del agua de pozos del distrito de Juliaca. Las cuales se analizaron en laboratorio de Unidad de Servicios de Análisis Químicos de la Facultad de Química - Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos-Lima, mediante la técnica Espectrofotometría de Absorción Atómica con Horno de Grafito. Los datos de arsénico fueron procesados estadísticamente mediante el diseño completamente al azar. Asimismo, la descripción del conocimiento y actitud del consumo de agua familiar se realizó aplicando la técnica de la encuesta y el instrumento fue un cuestionario de 11 ítems para la variable conocimiento y 7 para la variable actitud, con respuestas de alto, medio y bajo para conocimiento y buena, regular y mala calificadas con escala de Likert. Resultados. La concentración promedio fue 0.031 mg de As/L de agua y entre zonas hubo semejanza (p>0.05). En el grado de conocimiento sobre contaminación con arsénico en el agua de consumo humano respondieron el 40.81 % con calificación alta y el 59.19% están entre medio y bajo; en actitud, la calificación buena obtuvo menos del 50 % de encuestados y el resto están entre regular y mala. Conclusiones. El contenido arsenical en el agua de pozos supera los límites máximos permisibles según Organización Mundial de Salud y más del 50% se exponen al agua contaminada.

Arsenic contamination of drinking water is a public health problem, because it causes various carcinogenic and skin diseases. Objective. To determine arsenic levels in well water, and to evaluate the degree of knowledge and attitude about family water consumption. Materials and methods. Ninety-six samples of well water from the district of Juliaca were used. These were analyzed in the laboratory of the Chemical Analysis Services Unit of the Faculty of Chemistry - Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos-Lima, using the technique Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry with Graphite Furnace. The arsenic data were statistically processed using a completely randomized design. Likewise, the description of the knowledge and attitude of family water consumption was carried out by applying the survey technique and the instrument was a questionnaire of 11 items for the knowledge variable and 7 for the attitude variable, with answers of high, medium and low for knowledge and good, regular and bad rated with a Likert scale. Results. The average concentration was 0.031 mg As/L water and there was similarity between zones (p>0.05). In the degree of knowledge about arsenic contamination in drinking water, 40.81% responded with high qualification and 59.19% were between medium and low; in attitude, the good qualification obtained less than 50% of respondents and the rest were between regular and bad. Conclusions. The arsenic content in well water exceeds the maximum permissible limits according to the World Health Organization and more than 50% are exposed to contaminated water.

A contaminação da água potável por arsênico é um problema de saúde pública, pois causa várias doenças de pele e carcinogênicas. Objetivo. Determinar os níveis de arsênico na água de poço e avaliar o grau de conhecimento e atitude em relação ao consumo doméstico de água. Materiais e métodos. Foram utilizadas 96 amostras de água de poço do distrito de Juliaca. Elas foram analisadas no laboratório da Unidade de Serviços de Análises Químicas da Faculdade de Química da Universidade Nacional Mayor de San Marcos-Lima, usando a técnica de Espectrofotometria de Absorção Atômica com Forno de Grafite. Os dados sobre arsênico foram processados estatisticamente usando um desenho completamente aleatório. Da mesma forma, a descrição do conhecimento e da atitude do consumo familiar de água foi realizada aplicando a técnica de pesquisa e o instrumento foi um questionário de 11 itens para a variável conhecimento e 7 para a variável atitude, com respostas de alto, médio e baixo para o conhecimento e classificado como bom, regular e ruim em uma escala Likert. Resultados. A concentração média foi de 0,031 mg As/L de água e houve similaridade entre as zonas (p>0,05). Quanto ao grau de conhecimento sobre a contaminação por arsênico na água potável, 40,81% responderam com uma pontuação alta e 59,19% ficaram entre médio e baixo; quanto à atitude, a pontuação boa foi obtida por menos de 50% dos entrevistados e o restante ficou entre regular e ruim. Conclusões. O teor de arsênico na água de poço excede os limites máximos permitidos de acordo com a Organização Mundial da Saúde e mais de 50% estão expostos à água contaminada.

Arsenicals Review: Poison vis-a-vis Medicine

Arsenic tops the list of priority list of hazardous substances 2022. People are frequently exposed to the environmental pollutant metalloid arsenic through their food, water, air, and soil. Arsenic is famous for its toxic effects. However, arsenicals have recently gained attention due to promising clinical trials for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Presently numerous studies on arsenic's anticancer effects have been done. So a review was conducted on the use of arsenicals as poison and medicine. Arsenical was used as a powerful medicine in the BC era. But arsenical became famous as "the King's Poison" and "the Poison of the King" due to its use as poison. But the development of Marsh’s Test in the 18th century led to a decrease in the use of arsenicals as poison. In the 18th century, arsenicals were used as medicine to treat a variety of diseases such as fever, rheumatism, psoriasis, and syphilis. The development of antibiotics, new, safer chemotherapeutic agents, and radiotherapy halted its use as medicine. The dose and form of arsenicals make them medicine or poison. Many literary works reveal that arsenic's journey as “medicine” and “poison” is still ongoing in the twenty-first century.

Arsenic Trioxide: Pharmacological Applications / Trióxido de Arsénico: Aplicaciones farmacológicas

Background: Arsenic trioxide is a chemical compound that has been used as a treatment for various diseases. Despite being potentially toxic, this compound has been used as a therapy to treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia and is being investigated as a possible treatment for different types of cancer. Objectives: The present review aims to describe the use and studies reported in the literature of Arsenic Trioxide as a possible therapeutic agent for Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, Multiple Myeloma, Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Lung Cancer, Neuroblastoma, Breast Cancer, Aplastic Hepatitis C, and HIV-1. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using databases (Elsevier, Google Scholar, PubMed) to compile documents published before December 2023. Results:Multiple pharmacological applications of arsenic trioxide have been reported to treat acute and chronic myeloid leukemia. Arsenic trioxide has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis, which helps treat multiple myeloma. Several studies have shown and suggested the effectiveness of arsenic trioxide as a treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, neuroblastoma, prostate cancer, breast cancer, aplastic anemia, hepatitis C, and HIV-1. Conclusion: Despite potentially toxic effects, Arsenic compounds are therapeutic agents for multiple diseases, from syphilis to cancer. In recent years, more efficient ways have been investigated to deliver and find the specific dose to treat the disease, causing the fewest possible adverse effects.

Antecedentes: El trióxido de arsénico es un compuesto químico que se ha utilizado como tratamiento de diversas enfermedades. A pesar de ser potencialmente tóxico, este compuesto se ha utilizado como terapia para tratar la leucemia mieloide aguda y se está investigando como posible tratamiento para diferentes tipos de cáncer. Objetivos: La presente revisión pretende describir el uso del trióxido de arsénico como posible agente terapéutico para la leucemia mieloide aguda, la leucemia promielocítica aguda, la leucemia mieloide crónica, el mieloma múltiple, el síndrome mielodisplásico, el carcinoma hepatocelular, el cáncer de pulmón, el neuroblastoma, el cáncer de mama, la hepatitis C aplásica y el VIH-1. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática utilizando bases de datos (Elsevier, Google Scholar, PubMed) para recopilar documentos publicados antes de diciembre de 2023. Resultados: Se ha informado de múltiples aplicaciones farmacológicas del trióxido de arsénico para tratar la leucemia mieloide aguda y la leucemia mieloide crónica. Se ha demostrado que el trióxido de arsénico inhibe la angiogénesis, lo que resulta útil para el tratamiento del mieloma múltiple. Varios estudios han demostrado y sugerido la eficacia del trióxido de arsénico como tratamiento del carcinoma hepatocelular, el cáncer de pulmón, el neuroblastoma, el cáncer de próstata, el cáncer de mama, la anemia aplásica, la hepatitis C y el VIH-1. Conclusión: A pesar de tener un efecto potencialmente tóxico, los compuestos de arsénico destacan como agentes terapéuticos para múltiples enfermedades, desde la sífilis hasta el cáncer. En los últimos años, se han investigado formas más eficientes de administrar y encontrar la dosis específica para poder tratar la enfermedad, causando los menores efectos adversos posibles.

Arsenic speciation and valence / 中国中药杂志

As arsenic widely exists in nature and has been used in the pharmaceutical preparations, the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) with arsenic include realgar(As_2S_2 or As_4S_4), orpiment(As_2S_3), and white arsenic(As_2O_3). Among the above representative medicine, the TCM compound formulas with realgar are utilized extensively. Just in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition), there are 37 Chinese patent medicines including realgar. The traditional element analysis focuses on the detection of the total amount of elements, which neglects the study on the speciation and valence of elements. The activity, toxicity, bioavailability, and metabolic pathways of arsenic in vivo are closely related to the existence of its form, and different forms of arsenic have different effects on organisms. Therefore, the study on the speciation and valence of arsenic is of great importance for arsenic-containing TCMs and their compound formulas. This paper reviewed four aspects of the speciation and valence of arsenic, including property, absorption and metabolism, toxicity, and analytical assay.

Chemical elements in sediments and in bivalve mollusks from estuarine regions in the south of Bahia State, northeast Brazil / Elementos químicos em sedimentos e em moluscos bivalves de regiões estuarinas do sul do Estado da Bahia, Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Estuaries receive daily inputs of chemical elements which can impact the quality of water and sediment, as well as the health of biota. In addition to the sediment, bivalve mollusks have been used in the chemical monitoring of these systems. This study investigated the presence and contents of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in superficial sediment and in bivalves (Crassostrea gasar, C. rhizophorae and Mytella guyanensis) from estuaries in the south / extreme south of Bahia State, northeast Brazil. The samples were evaluated with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES, Varian 710). Except for Cd, all other elements were found in the samples, being that Co was exclusive in the sediment. The estuaries equivalent to sampling stations #1 - Valença, #2 - Taperoá, #3 - Ilhéus and #4 - Belmonte showed levels of metals compatibles with those established by the Brazilian legislation, however, the #5 - Santa Cruz Cabrália, in addition to the presence of As, presented a high level of Pb and Cu in C. gasar, which was attributed to the impacts of nautical activities in that locality.

Resumo Estuários recebem entradas diárias de elementos químicos, que podem impactar a qualidade de água e do sedimento, assim como a saúde da biota. Além do sedimento, moluscos bivalves têm sido utilizados no monitoramento químico desses sistemas. Neste estudo investigou-se a presença e os teores de As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb e Zn no sedimento superficial e em bivalves (Crassostrea gasar, C. rhizophorae e Mytella guyanensis) de estuários do sul / extremo sul do estado da Bahia, Nordeste do Brasil. As amostras foram avaliadas por espectrometria de emissão óptica de plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-OES, Varian 710). Exceto Cd, todos os demais elementos foram encontrados nas amostras, sendo que Co foi exclusivo no sedimento. Os estuários equivalentes às estações amostrais #1 - Valença, #2 - Taperoá, #3 - Ilhéus e #4 - Belmonte mostraram níveis de metais compatíveis com os estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira, porém, a #5 - Santa Cruz Cabrália, além da presença de As, apresentou alto nível de Pb e de Cu em C. gasar, o que foi atribuído aos impactos por atividades náuticas nesse local.

A method of automatic determination of salt iodine by iodine element detector / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To establish a method for automatic determination of iodine level in salt by arsenic-cerium catalytic spectrophotometry using an iodine element detector (hereinafter referred to as this method), and to provide reference for in-depth study of salt iodine detection technology.Methods:This method was used to determine the iodine level in salt, and the linear range, detection limit, precision, and accuracy (determination of salt iodine standard substance GBW10006y and GBW10007y, and addition recovery experiment) of this method were determined. The iodine level of 35 salt samples was determined by this method and redox titration method recommended by the national standard, and the results were compared.Results:This method had a good linear relationship within the range of 50 - 600 μg/L standard curve, the absolute value of the correlation coefficients was > 0.999 0, and the detection limit was 5.0 mg/kg. The relative standard deviation of iodine concentration in salt samples with low, medium and high iodine concentrations were all < 6.0%. The determination results of salt iodine standard substance GBW10006y and GBW10007y were within the given value ranges; three iodine concentrations (6.0, 10.0 and 30.0 mg/kg) were added to the salt samples, with an average recovery rate of 96.7% to 105.0%, and a total average recovery rate of 100.9%. The method comparison experiment showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the salt iodine determination results of this method and the redox titration method ( t = - 1.54, P = 0.132). Conclusion:This method has the advantages of high accuracy, good precision and wide linear range in determining salt iodine, and is suitable for the detection of large quantities of samples in salt iodine monitoring.

A preliminary study on the effect of arsenic exposure on necroptosis of mouse myocardial cells / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To study the effects of arsenic exposure on necroptosis pathway and inflammatory response of mouse myocardial cells.Methods:Sixty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group (group C) and low, medium, and high dose arsenic exposure groups (groups L, M, H) based on body weight using a random number table method. Each group had 15 mice, and they drank 0.00, 0.15, 1.50, and 15.00 mg/L arsenic trioxide (As 2O 3) solution prepared with deionized water. The exposure period was 12 weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson trichrome staining of paraffin-embedded heart tissues were used to observe the histopathology changes of the heart. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to evaluate the ultrastructural changes of myocardial cells. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of inflammatory genes [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-6] and the genes involved in necroptosis pathway [receptor-interacting protein (RIP) 1, RIP3 and mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL)]. Protein expressions of RIP1 and RIP3 in the heart were assessed by western blotting. Results:Histopathological examination results showed there were myocardial necrosis, inflammatory cells infiltration and fibroblasts hyperplasia and other changes in groups M and H. TEM analysis revealed marked ultrastructural changes in groups M and H, including fractured myofibril, fractured Z lines of sarcomere, and swollen mitochondria with fractured cristae. Compared with group C (1.00 ± 0.00), the mRNA expression of RIP1 in group H was significantly up-regulated (1.41 ± 0.06, P < 0.05); the mRNA expressions of RIP3 (1.29 ± 0.14, 1.56 ± 0.08), MLKL (1.23 ± 0.05, 1.36 ± 0.07), TNF-α (2.20 ± 0.10, 2.23 ± 0.18) and IL-6 (1.87 ± 0.16, 1.63 ± 0.15) were significantly up-regulated in groups M and H ( P < 0.05). The protein expressions of RIP1 (0.43 ± 0.04, 0.50 ± 0.04) and RIP3 (0.68 ± 0.02, 0.84 ± 0.05) in groups M and H were higher than those in group C (0.25 ± 0.01, 0.45 ± 0.04, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Subchronic arsenic exposure induces histopathological changes such as myocardial necrosis and fibrosis in mice, inducing necroptosis and inflammatory reactions in myocardial cells.

Distribution characteristics and health risk assessment of elements in drinking water from endemic fluorosis areas with water improvement in Xi'an City / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To analyze the types and distribution characteristics of elements in drinking water from endemic fluorosis areas with water improvement in Xi'an City, understand the relationship between fluoride and various elements, and conduct health risk assessment on potential high-risk elements.Methods:From May to June 2017, one endemic fluorosis area with water improvement (Gaoling District, Huyi District, Lintong District) was selected according to the northeast, the southwest and the due east directions of Xi'an City as the survey area. Sixteen endemic fluorosis villages were selected from each endemic area, and 2 water samples were collected from each endemic village to detect fluoride and 12 elements such as chromium, manganese, ferrum, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, cadmium, antimony, barium, and lead. Hygienic evaluation was conducted according to national standards, and the potential high-risk elements (arsenic, molybdenum) were assessed for health risk through the health risk assessment model recommended by the National Environmental Protection Agency of the United States.Results:The water samples from the endemic fluorosis areas in Xi'an City mainly contained seven elements: barium, ferrum, molybdenum, arsenic, zinc, manganese, and chromium. The content of copper and selenium was relatively low, while the content of cadmium, antimony, and lead was extremely low. The fluoride content in water samples from Gaoling District and Lintong District was relatively high, and the fluorine, arsenic, molybdenum elements was pairwise positively correlated ( P < 0.05). The molybdenum element in water samples from Lintong District exceeded 9.38% (3/32). The fluoride in the water samples of Huyi District was relatively low, and the arsenic, molybdenum elements was positively correlated ( r = 0.84, P < 0.001), and the arsenic element exceeded the standard by 25.00% (8/32). The main health risk of drinking water in endemic fluorosis areas with water improvement in Xi'an City was arsenic exposure, with children at a higher risk than adults, and the areas of Huyi District, Lintong District, and Gaoling District declined, the risk of cancer (CR) of Gaoling District was < 10 -4 and hazard quotient (HQ) was < 1. However, in the areas of Huyi District and Lintong District (except HQ of adults), there was a higher risk (CR > 10 -4, HQ > 1). Children in one endemic fluorosis village in Lintong District had a higher non carcinogenic risk of molybdenum (HQ > 1). Conclusions:The drinking water in endemic fluorosis areas with water improvement in Xi'an City mainly contains 7 elements, especially arsenic and molybdenum, which need to be regularly monitored. Some areas have high health risks of arsenic in water, and monitoring, management, and related epidemiological investigations need to be strengthened. At the same time, it is necessary to actively monitor other toxic and harmful substances that may be introduced during the water improvement process to prevent the occurrence of secondary health problems.

Research progress on the ferroptosis role in liver injury induced by inorganic arsenic / 中华地方病学杂志

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a common carcinogen that exists in the environment. Liver, as the main target organ of arsenic metabolism, long-term exposure to iAs can ultimately lead to carcinogenesis through two stages: liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Ferroptosis is a type of programmed cell death caused by the accumulation of iron dependent lipid peroxides that affects the normal function of mitochondria. It has been found that ferroptosis occurs during liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis caused by iAs has been a global health problem for a long time, but so far there is no effective treatment. The discovery of ferroptosis provides a new way to solve this problem. Therefore, this article will review the research progress of the mechanism of liver injury caused by iAs and ferroptosis.

Investigation results of drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning in Henan Province in 2019 / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To learn about the progress of prevention and control of drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning in Henan Province, and provide scientific basis for achieving the goal of eliminating high arsenic hazards as scheduled.Methods:From July to August 2019, in accordance with the requirements of the National Monitoring Program for Drinking-water-borne Endemic Arsenic Poisoning, a general survey was carried out in 26 high-arsenic villages in 6 counties of Henan Province to investigate the water improvement situation and the operation of water improvement projects, and the arsenic content in drinking water of households was measured, meanwhile, the arsenic poisoning status of permanent residents in high-arsenic villages was investigated.Results:All 26 villages with high arsenic content in the province had undergone water improvement, with a water improvement rate of 100.00%. A total of 18 water improvement projects were investigated in 26 high-arsenic villages, all of which were operating normally. Twenty-six water samples were collected, and the arsenic content in the household water was < 0.01 mg/L, which met the sanitary standards for drinking water. No patient of endemic arsenic poisoning was found during the survey.Conclusion:In Henan Province, the drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning has been effectively controlled, and the prevention and control achievements should continue to be consolidated in the future.

Research progress on biomarkers of endemic arsenic poisoning / 中华地方病学杂志

The accumulation effect of arsenic and low arsenic exposure can cause sustained health damage to people in arsenic poisoning areas. Early diagnosis and prevention of arsenic poisoning have become the focus of current prevention and control, and biomarkers have important application value in early diagnosis and prevention of diseases. Therefore, the screening and application of sensitive and specific biomarkers of arsenic poisoning are of great significance for the continuous elimination of arsenic poisoning. In this paper, the research progress of biomarkers of endemic arsenic poisoning is reviewed, in order to provide reference for the continuous prevention and control, early monitoring and early warning of endemic arsenic poisoning.

Research progress of the protective mechanism of anthocyanins against arsenic-induced health hazardss / 中华地方病学杂志

Arsenic exists widely in nature. Long-term arsenic exposure is closely related to the occurrence and development of diseases related to nervous system, digestive system, urinary system, cardiovascular system and other related diseases, which seriously threatens human health. Anthocyanins belong to flavonoids, which have the characteristics of antioxidant properties, and have the functions of protecting liver, improving memory, improving immunity, and protecting nervous system, digestive system, urinary system, cardiovascular system, etc. In this paper, the research status of arsenic-induced health hazards and the protective mechanism of anthocyanins on health hazards in recent years is summarized, in order to provide scientific basis for prevention and treatment of chronic arsenic poisoning injury.

Analysis of external quality control assessment results of fluorine and arsenic in Qinghai Province in 2021 / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To learn about the detection quality and external quality control assessment of fluoride and arsenic in laboratories at all levels in Qinghai Province.Methods:The Z-score method was used to analyze and evaluate the evaluation results of 1 provincial, 8 municipal and 43 county level laboratories of disease prevention and control institutions participating in the external quality control assessment of water fluoride and brick tea fluoride in Qinghai Province in 2021, as well as 1 provincial, 1 municipal and 2 county level laboratories of disease prevention and control institutions participating in the external quality control assessment of water arsenic and urine arsenic. The feedback rate and qualification rate of external quality control of each assessment laboratory were calculated.Results:In 2021, the feedback rate of external quality control of water fluoride, brick tea fluoride, water arsenic and urine arsenic in provincial and municipal level laboratories of Qinghai Province were 100.00%; except that the qualified rate of water fluoride was 7/9, the qualified rate of external quality control of other projects was 100.00%. The feedback rate of external quality control of water fluoride, brick tea fluoride, water arsenic and urine arsenic in county level laboratories was 100.00%; except that the qualified rate of water fluoride was 86.05% (37/43), the qualified rate of external quality control of other projects was 100.00%. In the specific assessment results of the laboratory, the assessment results of water fluoride sample FS20210101 from 1 provincial, 1 municipal and 2 county level laboratories, and FS20210102 from 1 county level laboratory were suspicious; the assessment results of water fluoride sample FS20210101 from 3 county level laboratories were not satisfactory; the assessment results of fluoride and arsenic sample in other laboratories were satisfactory.Conclusions:The qualified rate of external quality control of fluoride and arsenic in laboratories at all levels in Qinghai Province is relatively high, but some county level laboratories are still dissatisfied with the assessment results of water fluoride. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the detection level of water fluoride in laboratories.

Analysis of monitoring results of coal-burning-borne endemic arsenism in Shaanxi Province from 2015 to 2020 / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To learn about the changes of the condition of coal-burning-borne endemic arsenism, the use of improved stoves and the formation of health-related behaviors in Shaanxi Province, and evaluate the effect of prevention and control measures.Methods:From 2015 to 2020, according to the "Implementation Plan for Monitoring Coal-burning-borne Endemic Arsenism in Shaanxi Province", regular field surveys were carried out in 4 natural villages, 2 counties in Ankang City and Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province, to learn about the basic prevention and control situation in the monitoring village. Using the simple random sampling method, 10 families in each village were selected to investigate the use of stoves and the formation of health-related behaviors, and 5 of these families were selected to collect coal samples for arsenic content determination in accordance with the "Determination of Arsenic in Coal" (GB/T 3058-2008). According to the "Diagnosis of Endemic Arsenicosis" (WS/T 211-2015), the condition of the people exposed to high arsenic coal in the monitoring village was investigated. Urine samples of 30 adult patients (half males and half females) with arsenic poisoning were collected, the content of arsenic in urine was determined by the "Urine-Determination of Arsenic-Silver Diethyldithiocarbamate-Triethanolamine-Spectrophotometric Method" (WS/T 28-1996).Results:A total of 240 households were monitored in the past 6 years, and the quality conformance and correct utilization rates of improved stoves in the households monitored in the disease areas remained at 100.00% in 2018 - 2020. The utilization rate of clean energy increased from 75.00% (30/40) in 2015 to 100.00% (40/40) in 2018 - 2020 (χ 2trend = 25.5, P < 0.001). The 73.75% (177/240) of households using a variety of clean energy. From 2018 to 2020, the correct drying, storage and pre-processing washing rates of corn and pepper continued to reach 100.00% (40/40). The arsenic content of coal ( n = 120) in the disease areas was (118.09 ± 57.91) mg/kg, ranging from 16.70 to 280.94 mg/kg. The detection rate of arsenic poisoning decreased from 6.34% (231/3 646) in 2015 to 2.90% (109/3 754) in 2020 (χ 2trend = 121.8, P < 0.001), and no skin cancer or Bowen's disease was detected. The geometric mean of arsenic content in urine ( n = 720) was 0.038 1 mg/L, ranging from 0.000 5 to 0.312 9 mg/L. Conclusions:The condition of coal-burning-borne endemic arsenism areas in Shaanxi Province has reached the national elimination standard. The quality and correct utilization rate of improved stoves and the rate of using clean energy have increased. The healthy-related behaviors the people in the endemic areas have been basically formed. The prevention and control work has achieved good results.

The role of Toll-like receptor 4-mediated immune inflammation in inorganic arsenic-induced liver fibrosis in rats / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To observe the expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway-related proteins and their phosphorylation in the liver tissues of rats with inorganic arsenic poisoning, and to explore the role of TLR4-mediated inflammatory signaling pathway in arsenic-induced liver fibrosis injury.Methods:Eighteen healthy weanling SD rats were divided into 3 groups according to their body weight (80 - 100 g) using a random number table (6 rats in each group, half males and half females). The control group was given 10 ml/kg of normal saline by gavage. The sodium arsenite (NaAsO 2) exposure group was given 10 mg/kg of NaAsO 2 by gavage. The TAK-242 intervention group was given 10 mg/kg of NaAsO 2 by gavage, and 0.5 mg/kg of TAK-242 was also administered intraperitoneally to inhibit TLR4 after 12 weeks. All rats were administered 6 days a week for 36 weeks. At the end of the treatment, the liver tissues and serum of the rats in each group were collected. HE and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological and fibrotic changes of the liver tissues. Automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect serum liver function indexes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Western blot was used to detect the expression changes of rat liver fibrosis protein α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Vimentin and TLR4 signaling pathway-related proteins TLR4, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-p65 subunit (p65), NF-κB-p50 subunit (p50) and their phosphorylation p-p65 and p-p50 expression levels. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion levels of inflammatory related factors interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-10. Results:HE and Masson staining results showed that compared with the control group, the NaAsO 2 exposure group showed significant inflammatory cell infiltration, hepatocyte necrosis and collagen fibrous deposition, while the TAK-242 intervention group showed improvement of the inflammatory cell infiltration and reduction of collagen fibrous deposition compared with the NaAsO 2 exposure group. The results of serum liver function indexes showed that ALT, AST and ALP in NaAsO 2 exposure group were increased compared with the control group, but the TAK-242 intervention group was significantly decreased compared with the NaAsO 2 exposure group ( P < 0.05). Western bolt results showed that in NaAsO 2 exposure group, the expression levels of fibrosis protein α-SMA, TGF-β1 and Vimentin (1.04 ± 0.19, 0.92 ± 0.14, 1.20 ± 0.21) and TLR4 signaling pathway-related proteins and their phosphorylation TLR4, p50, p-p50 and p-p65 (1.16 ± 0.21, 0.95 ± 0.16, 1.24 ± 0.23, 1.56 ± 0.25) were higher than the control group (0.44 ± 0.08, 0.42 ± 0.08, 0.72 ± 0.07, 0.69 ± 0.15, 0.71 ± 0.11, 0.46 ± 0.07, 0.54 ± 0.11, P < 0.05), and the TAK-242 intervention group (0.60 ± 0.13, 0.59 ± 0.16, 0.49 ± 0.11, 0.47 ± 0.08, 0.86 ± 0.09, 0.79 ± 0.14, 1.02 ± 0.17) were lower than the NaAsO 2 exposure group ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression level of TLR4 signal pathway-related protein p65 among the three groups ( F = 14.29, P = 0.053). ELISA results showed that the secretion levels of IL-6 and TNF-α [(98.89 ± 4.58), (83.25 ± 4.57) ng/g] in rats liver tissues of the NaAsO 2 exposure group were higher than the control group [(27.30 ± 3.92), (27.77 ± 1.83) ng/g, P < 0.05], while the secretion level of IL-10 [(36.88 ± 3.86) ng/g] was lower than the control group [(77.96 ± 7.87) ng/g, P < 0.05]. In TAK-242 intervention group, IL-6 and TNF-α secretion levels [(44.32 ± 3.60), (36.51 ± 2.93) ng/g] were lower and IL-10 secretion level [(60.40 ± 4.94) ng/g] was higher compared with the NaAsO 2 exposure group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:TLR4-mediated inflammatory signaling pathway-related proteins and their phosphorylation are highly expressed in the liver tissues of rats with inorganic arsenic poisoning, and inhibition of TLR4 signaling pathway could significantly reduce the degree of liver fibrosis injury caused by inorganic arsenic in rats.

A survey on the prevalence and associated factors of arsenic poisoning-related skin lesions in an arsenic tailing area in Hunan Province, China / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To investigate epidemiological characteristics of arsenic poisoning-related skin lesions in an arsenic tailing area in Hunan Province.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. From October 2016 to January 2017, all residents aged over 18 years (except pregnant women) were enrolled from 3 villages in Baiyun Town, Shimen County, Hunan Province by using a cluster-sampling method. Demographic information was collected through a face-to-face questionnaire interview. All residents received skin examination performed by professional dermatologists, and blood, urine, and hair samples were collected for the measurement of arsenic levels. Non-conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze factors associated with arsenic poisoning-related skin lesions.Results:A total of 1 092 eligible residents in the arsenic tailing area were recruited in this study, and 756 (69.2%, 95% CI: 66.5%, 72.0%) presented with arsenic poisoning-related skin lesions, including hyperkeratosis, hypo- or hyper-pigmentation. The median ( Q1, Q3) arsenic levels were 0.31 (0.14, 0.74) μg/g in hair samples ( n = 1 079), 0.84 (0.67, 1.10) μg/L in blood samples ( n =1 091), and 60.31 (41.71, 91.52) μg/L in urine samples ( n =1 092). Multivariable analysis showed that the occurrence of arsenic poisoning-related skin lesions was associated with age, residential location, and occupational arsenic exposure history, but was not associated with gender, ethnicity, education levels, migration history, arsenic levels in hair, blood, or urine. Compared with the group aged 18 - 39 years, the group aged 40 - 59 years and the group aged over 60 years showed significantly higher risks of arsenic poisoning-related skin lesions (adjusted OR = 11.34, 95% CI: 5.98, 21.50, P < 0.001; adjusted OR = 71.82, 95% CI: 35.81, 144.05, P < 0.001, respectively). Compared with the residents in the Wangyangqiao village, residents in the Heshan village and Huangchang village showed significantly higher risks of arsenic poisoning-related skin lesions (adjusted OR = 2.89, 95% CI: 2.05, 4.08, P < 0.001; adjusted OR = 4.13, 95% CI: 1.94, 8.78, P < 0.001, respectively). The risk of arsenic poisoning-related skin lesions was significantly higher in residents with occupational exposure history than in those without (adjusted OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.04, 3.83, P = 0.039) . Conclusion:Nearly 70% of the residents presented with arsenic poisoning-related skin lesions in an arsenic tailing area in Hunan Province, and the duration and previous degree of arsenic exposure were associated with the risk of arsenic poisoning-related skin lesions.

Chemical elements in sediments and in bivalve mollusks from estuarine regions in the south of Bahia State, northeast Brazil / Elementos químicos em sedimentos e em moluscos bivalves de regiões estuarinas do sul do Estado da Bahia, Nordeste do Brasil

Estuaries receive daily inputs of chemical elements which can impact the quality of water and sediment, as well as the health of biota. In addition to the sediment, bivalve mollusks have been used in the chemical monitoring of these systems. This study investigated the presence and contents of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in superficial sediment and in bivalves (Crassostrea gasar, C. rhizophorae and Mytella guyanensis) from estuaries in the south / extreme south of Bahia State, northeast Brazil. The samples were evaluated with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES, Varian 710). Except for Cd, all other elements were found in the samples, being that Co was exclusive in the sediment. The estuaries equivalent to sampling stations #1 - Valença, #2 - Taperoá, #3 - Ilhéus and #4 - Belmonte showed levels of metals compatibles with those established by the Brazilian legislation, however, the #5 - Santa Cruz Cabrália, in addition to the presence of As, presented a high level of Pb and Cu in C. gasar, which was attributed to the impacts of nautical activities in that locality.

Estuários recebem entradas diárias de elementos químicos, que podem impactar a qualidade de água e do sedimento, assim como a saúde da biota. Além do sedimento, moluscos bivalves têm sido utilizados no monitoramento químico desses sistemas. Neste estudo investigou-se a presença e os teores de As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb e Zn no sedimento superficial e em bivalves (Crassostrea gasar, C. rhizophorae e Mytella guyanensis) de estuários do sul / extremo sul do estado da Bahia, Nordeste do Brasil. As amostras foram avaliadas por espectrometria de emissão óptica de plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-OES, Varian 710). Exceto Cd, todos os demais elementos foram encontrados nas amostras, sendo que Co foi exclusivo no sedimento. Os estuários equivalentes às estações amostrais #1 - Valença, #2 - Taperoá, #3 - Ilhéus e #4 - Belmonte mostraram níveis de metais compatíveis com os estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira, porém, a #5 - Santa Cruz Cabrália, além da presença de As, apresentou alto nível de Pb e de Cu em C. gasar, o que foi atribuído aos impactos por atividades náuticas nesse local.

Chemical elements in sediments and in bivalve mollusks from estuarine regions in the south of Bahia State, northeast Brazil

Abstract Estuaries receive daily inputs of chemical elements which can impact the quality of water and sediment, as well as the health of biota. In addition to the sediment, bivalve mollusks have been used in the chemical monitoring of these systems. This study investigated the presence and contents of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in superficial sediment and in bivalves (Crassostrea gasar, C. rhizophorae and Mytella guyanensis) from estuaries in the south / extreme south of Bahia State, northeast Brazil. The samples were evaluated with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES, Varian 710). Except for Cd, all other elements were found in the samples, being that Co was exclusive in the sediment. The estuaries equivalent to sampling stations /1 - Valença, /2 - Taperoá, /3 - Ilhéus and /4 - Belmonte showed levels of metals compatibles with those established by the Brazilian legislation, however, the /5 - Santa Cruz Cabrália, in addition to the presence of As, presented a high level of Pb and Cu in C. gasar, which was attributed to the impacts of nautical activities in that locality.

Resumo Estuários recebem entradas diárias de elementos químicos, que podem impactar a qualidade de água e do sedimento, assim como a saúde da biota. Além do sedimento, moluscos bivalves têm sido utilizados no monitoramento químico desses sistemas. Neste estudo investigou-se a presença e os teores de As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb e Zn no sedimento superficial e em bivalves (Crassostrea gasar, C. rhizophorae e Mytella guyanensis) de estuários do sul / extremo sul do estado da Bahia, Nordeste do Brasil. As amostras foram avaliadas por espectrometria de emissão óptica de plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-OES, Varian 710). Exceto Cd, todos os demais elementos foram encontrados nas amostras, sendo que Co foi exclusivo no sedimento. Os estuários equivalentes às estações amostrais /1 - Valença, /2 - Taperoá, /3 - Ilhéus e /4 - Belmonte mostraram níveis de metais compatíveis com os estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira, porém, a /5 - Santa Cruz Cabrália, além da presença de As, apresentou alto nível de Pb e de Cu em C. gasar, o que foi atribuído aos impactos por atividades náuticas nesse local.

Effects of arsenic exposure during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal health: a review / 预防医学

@#Arsenic is a toxic metalloid, which may enter the human body through a variety of routes, including drinking water, food, and air. Previous studies have shown that arsenic exposure during pregnancy may cause pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes, and maternal arsenic levels correlate with neonatal neurodevelopment and adult health. However, the negative impact of arsenic exposure during pregnancy on maternal and child health has not been widely accepted because of inconsistent study conclusions and unclear mechanisms. Based on international and national studies pertaining to the effect of arsenic exposure during pregnancy on maternal and child health during the period between 2007 and 2022, this review describes the influencing factors and biomarkers of arsenic exposure during pregnancy, associations of arsenic exposure during pregnancy with pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes and impact of arsenic exposure during pregnancy on neonatal neurodevelopment, and discusses the mechanisms underlying negative health effects caused by arsenic exposure during pregnancy, so as to provide the evidence for assessing the hazards of arsenic exposure during pregnancy and formulating the control strategy.

Association between combined exposure of heavy metals and biomarkers of early renal damage in occupational population / 中国职业医学

Objective: To investigate the effect of combined exposure to four heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury) on early kidney injury in occupational population. Methods: A total of 384 workers exposed to combined heavy metals in a non-ferrous metal smelting plant in Guangdong Province were selected as the research subjects using judgment sampling method. The levels of blood lead, urinary cadmium and urinary arsenic were detacted by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, while urinary mercury levels were measured using cold atomic absorption spectroscopy (acidic tin chloride reduction method). The levels of biomarkers such as urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Spearman correlation analysis, linear regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to analyze the association between the exposure to the four heavy metals and early kidney injury biomarkers. Results: The median of blood lead, urinary cadmium, urinary arsenic and urinary mercury were 0.47 μmol/L and 4.450, 27.790 and 0.520 μg/gCr, respectively. The median of urinary β2-MG, Kim-1 and NGAL were 62.960, 1.130 and 18.150 μg/gCr, respectively. Spearman correlation analysis showed that urinary levels of β2-MG, Kim-1, and NGAL were weakly correlated with blood lead and urinary mercury levels (all P<0.01), but not correlated with urinary cadmium and urinary arsenic (all P>0.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that urinary mercury was positively correlated with urinary β2-MG, Kim-1 and NGAL (all P<0.01), urinary arsenic was positively correlated with urinary β2-MG level (P<0.01), and blood lead was negatively correlated with urinary β2-MG and Kim-1 (all P<0.05). The WQS regression analysis showed that the combined effect of the four heavy metals was positively correlated with urinary β2-MG, Kim-1 and NGAL (all P<0.01), with mercury having the highest impact and lead the lowest. BKMR model analysis showed the increasing trend in urinary β2-MG, Kim-1 and NGAL with the increasing levels of the combined exposure to the four heavy metals. Urinary β2-MG, Kim-1 and NGAL decreased when urinary mercury level increased from the 25th percentile to the 75th percentile and the other metals were correspondingly fixed at a certain level. When the blood exposure levels of other metals remained at the corresponding median levels, urinary β2-MG, Kim-1 and NGAL levels were positively correlated with urinary arsenic level, but no significant linear dose-response relationship was observed with the other three heavy metals. Conclusion: sLead, arsenic, and mercury are independently associated with early kidney injury biomarkers in occupational population from non-ferrous metal smelting. The four heavy metals had positive combined effects on urinary β2-MG, Kim-1 and NGAL, with mercury having the greatest impact.