Persistent exposure to arsenic via drinking water in rural Bangladesh despite major mitigation efforts.
Am J Public Health
; 101 Suppl 1: S333-8, 2011 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21778503
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Elevated arsenic levels in tube-well water in Bangladesh have prompted extensive mitigation projects. We evaluated the effectiveness of long-term mitigation efforts by longitudinally measuring arsenic exposure in pregnant women and their children, the most susceptible population groups.METHODS:
The study was nested in a population-based nutrition intervention in Matlab, Bangladesh. Mother-child pairs (n = 1951) were followed from 2001 to 2003, beginning in early gestation and continuing to 5 years postpartum. We measured arsenic concentrations in urine (U-As) of the 5-year-old children by using high-performance liquid chromatography online with hydride generation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and compared them with earlier childhood U-As and maternal U-As during pregnancy.RESULTS:
Children had elevated U-As at 5 years old (median = 51 µg/L, 5th-95th percentiles = 16-355 µg/L), and U-As distribution was similar to that observed in the mothers during gestation. Children's U-As at 5 years old significantly correlated with their U-As at 1.5 years old and to maternal U-As during early and late gestation.CONCLUSIONS:
Despite major mitigation efforts, arsenic exposure remains highly elevated in rural Bangladesh. Further mitigation strategies are required and must be rigorously evaluated for long-term efficacy.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Arsênio
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População Rural
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Água Potável
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Exposição Ambiental
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article