J Water Health 04 (2006) 29-37
Neurosensory effects of chronic exposure to arsenic via drinking water in Inner Mongolia: I. signs, symptoms and pinprick testing
Yanhong Li, Yajuan Xia, Kegong Wu, Linlin He, Zhixiong Ning, Baixiao Zhao, X. Chris Le, Richard Kwok, Michael Schmitt, Timothy Wade, Judy Mumford and David Otto
Inner Mongolia Center For Endemic Disease Control and Research, Huhhot, China
Inner Mongolia Center For Endemic Disease Control and Research, Huhhot, China
Inner Mongolia Center For Endemic Disease Control and Research, Huhhot, China
Bamen Anti-Epidemic Station, Lin He, Inner Mongolia, China
Bamen Anti-Epidemic Station, Lin He, Inner Mongolia, China
Lin He Anti-Epidemic Station, Lin He, Inner Mongolia, China
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC., USA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, , Research Triangle Park, NC., USA, Tel: +1 (919) 966-6226, Fax: +1 (919) 966-6367, otto.david@epa.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, , Research Triangle Park, NC., USA, Tel: +1 (919) 966-6226, Fax: +1 (919) 966-6367, otto.david@epa.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, , Research Triangle Park, NC., USA, Tel: +1 (919) 966-6226, Fax: +1 (919) 966-6367, otto.david@epa.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, , Research Triangle Park, NC., USA, Tel: +1 (919) 966-6226, Fax: +1 (919) 966-6367, otto.david@epa.gov
ABSTRACT
This study was designed to assess the effects of exposure to arsenic in drinking water on neurosensory function. A questionnaire including neurological signs and symptoms and a brief neurological exam consisting of pinprick testing of the arms and legs and knee-jerk test were administered to 321 residents of the Bamen region of Inner Mongolia, China. Arsenic in water was measured by hydride generation atomic fluorescence. Participants were divided into three exposure groups—low (non-detectible-20), medium (100–300) and high (400–700 μg/l) arsenic. Significant group differences were observed in pinprick scores for all four limbs. Results indicate that arsenic alters pinprick (pain) thresholds at well-water concentrations as low as 400 μg/l, well below the 1000 μg/l threshold for neurological effect specified by NRC (1999). Regression models suggest that a 50% increase in pinprick score is associated with a 71–159 ppb increase in arsenic concentration.
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