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The Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
icddr,b
ISSN: 1606-0997 EISSN: 1606-0997
Vol. 28, No. 1, 2010, pp. 14-22
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Bioline Code: hn10003
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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The Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, Vol. 28, No. 1, 2010, pp. 14-22
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Arsenic Exposure, Dermatological Lesions, Hypertension, and Chromosomal Abnormalities among People in a Rural Community of Northwest Iran
Dastgiri, Saeed; Mosaferi, Mohammad; Fizi, Mohammad A.H.; Olfati, Nahid; Zolali, Shahin; Pouladi, Nasser & Azarfam, Parvin
Abstract
Chronic exposure to arsenic compounds is one of the major public-health problems in many developing
and some developed countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to
arsenic on dermatological lesions, hypertension, and chromosomal abnormalities among people in a community
in the northwest of Iran. The occurrence of dermatological lesions, hypertension, and chromosomal
abnormalities was investigated in two groups: Ghopuz village, including 101 subjects with chronic
exposure to arsenic in drinking-water and Mayan village, including 107 subjects with no exposure. Daily/
yearly absorbed amounts of arsenic were calculated for all subjects. Cumulative arsenic index for each
individual was then estimated on the basis of age, water consumption, and location of residence. Arsenic
concentration in drinking-water sources in Ghopuz and Mayan villages was 1031±1103 μg/L and nondetectable
respectively. The mean systolic blood pressure in the exposure group [n=137, 95% confidence
interval (CI 132-142)] was significantly higher than that in the control group (n=107, 95% CI 99.9-114).
A similar significant difference was observed for diastolic blood pressure (exposed: n=82, 95% CI 79-85 vs
non-exposed: n=71, 95% CI 66-75). The incidence of hyperkeratosis was 34 times higher among the exposure
group compared to the control subjects [odds ratio (OR)=34, p<0.001)]. A significant difference was
also observed in the occurrence of skin-pigmentation between the two groups (OR=2.4, p<0.007). Location
and severity of the pigmentations were statistically different between the two groups. Twenty-five percent
of the subjects in the exposure group showed chromosomal abnormalities (p=0.05). Arsenic exposure was a
serious health problem in the region. More studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects and doseresponse
relationship of arsenic in the region and similar areas. Wide-ranging monitoring programmes for
drinking-water sources should be implemented by public-health authorities.
Keywords
Arsenic; Cross-sectional studies; Dermatological lesions; Hypertension; Chromosomal abnormalities; Water pollution; Water supply; Iran
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