Published in:
01-08-2014 | Original Article
Chronic low-level arsenic exposure reduces lung function in male population without skin lesions
Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 4/2014
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Objectives
The respiratory effects of
chronic low-level arsenic exposure from groundwater have been investigated in West Bengal, India.
Methods
The participants (834 non-smoking adult males) were subdivided in two groups: an arsenic-exposed group (n = 446, mean age 35.3 years) drinking arsenic-contaminated groundwater (11–50 μg/L) and a control group of 388 age-matched men drinking water containing <10 μg/L of arsenic. Arsenic in water samples was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was documented by structured, validated questionnaire. Pulmonary function test (PFT) was assessed by portable spirometer.
Results
Compared with control, the arsenic-exposed subjects had higher prevalence of upper and lower respiratory symptoms, dyspnea, asthma, eye irritation and headache. Besides, 20.6 % of arsenic-exposed subjects had lung function deficits (predominantly restrictive and combined types) compared with 13.6 % of control (p < 0.05). A positive association was observed between arsenic concentration in drinking water and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, while a negative association existed between arsenic level and spirometric parameters.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that even low-level arsenic exposure has deleterious respiratory effects.