Reduction in urinary arsenic with bottled-water intervention

J Health Popul Nutr. 2006 Sep;24(3):298-304.

Abstract

The study was conducted to measure the effectiveness of providing bottled water in reducing arsenic exposure. Urine, tap-water and toenail samples were collected from non-smoking adults residing in Ajo (n=40) and Tucson (n=33), Arizona, USA. The Ajo subjects were provided bottled water for 12 months prior to re-sampling. The mean total arsenic (microg/L) in tap-water was 20.3+/-3.7 in Ajo and 4.0+/-2.3 in Tucson. Baseline urinary total inorganic arsenic (microg/L) was significantly higher among the Ajo subjects (n=40, 29.1+/-20.4) than among the Tucson subjects (n=32, 11.0+/-12.0, p<0.001), as was creatinine-adjusted urinary total inorganic arsenic (microg/g) (35.5+/-25.2 vs 13.2+/-9.3, p<0.001). Baseline concentrations of arsenic (microg/g) in toenails were also higher among the Ajo subjects (0.51+/-0.72) than among the Tucson subjects (0.17+/-0.21) (p<0.001). After the intervention, the mean urinary total inorganic arsenic in Ajo (n=36) dropped by 21%, from 29.4+/-21.1 to 23.2+/-23.2 (p=0.026). The creatinine-adjusted urinary total inorganic arsenic and toenail arsenic levels did not differ significantly with the intervention. Provision of arsenic-free bottled water resulted in a modest reduction in urinary total inorganic arsenic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arizona
  • Arsenic / analysis
  • Arsenic / metabolism
  • Arsenic / urine*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods
  • Consumer Product Safety
  • Drinking
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nails / chemistry*
  • Toes
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / metabolism

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Arsenic