Analysis of arsenic exposure and its influencing factors in industrial areas / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the arsenic exposure of industrial residents and its influencing factors, so as to provide scientific basis for protecting the health of industrial residents.Methods:In 2017, the samples of PM 2.5, drinking water and soil were collected by using cross-sectional survey and were tested for arsenic contents in Xigu District, Lanzhou City. The environmental arsenic exposure was analyzed by using Environmental Protection Agency of USA health risk assessment models. The levels of urinary arsenic and blood arsenic were measured in residents who included adults, children and teenagers. The internal exposure level of arsenic and its influencing factors were analyzed. The correlation between arsenic and internal and external exposure factors were also analyzed. The content of arsenic was expressed by geometric mean. Results:A total of 84 samples of PM 2.5 were collected, and the content of air arsenic was 7.53 ng/m 3. A total of 108 samples of drinking water were collected, and the content of water arsenic was 0.002 2 mg/L. A total of 40 samples of soil were collected, and the content of soil arsenic was 0.14 mg/kg. The total non-carcinogenic risk of environmental arsenic was 0.39, which was lower than the acceptable level of non-carcinogenic risk (1.00). The total carcinogenic risk of environmental arsenic was 6.59 × 10 -5. The total carcinogenic risk of arsenic was the highest through drinking water exposure and followed by the respiratory inhalation exposure, accounting for 78.60% [(5.18 × 10 -5)/(6.59 × 10 -5)] and 20.79% [(1.37 × 10 -5)/(6.59 × 10 -5)] of the total carcinogenic risk of environmental arsenic, respectively. There were 135 subjects, and 135 blood samples were collected. The content of blood arsenic was 0.92 μg/L. The level of blood arsenic of adults (1.05 μg/L) was higher than that of children and teenagers (0.75 μg/L, U = - 3.594, P < 0.05). One hundred and thirty-five urinary samples were collected, and the content of urinary arsenic was 14.17 μg/L. There was a positive correlation between urinary arsenic and blood arsenic ( r = 0.357, P < 0.05). Blood arsenic levels were positively correlated with the total carcinogenic risk and the risk of carcinogenesis through respiratory, oral and skin exposures ( r = 0.252, 0.244, 0.255, 0.255, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Arsenic in the environment of industrial areas has a potential carcinogenic risk to the residents, so the intake of arsenic in drinking water through oral exposure and respiratory inhalation exposure should be limited.