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Demissie S, Mekonen S, Awoke T, Teshome B, Mengistie B. Prevalence of arsenic-induced skin lesions and associated factors in Ethiopia: Community-based study. Toxicol Rep 2023; 11:153-161. [PMID: 37559672 PMCID: PMC10407820 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to assess the prevalence of arsenic-induced skin lesions and associated factors among the population in the Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha district, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 403 participants from June 02-20, 2022. A two-stage cluster sampling method was conducted to select study subjects. A pretested structured and semi-structured interview questionnaire and observation using a WHO flow chart were used for data collection. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 24 statistical software for Windows. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was applied to examine the relationship between predictor variables and an outcome variable. The degrees of association between outcomes and predictor variables were assessed using ORs and 95% CIs, and P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. The prevalence of arsenic-induced skin lesions (arsenicosis) in the study area was 2.2% [95% CI: 1.0-3.7]. The most common arsenic-induced manifestation was keratosis (55.6%), followed by hyperpigmentation (33.3%) and hyperkeratosis (11.1%). Consumption of well water, smoking cigarettes, and chewing khat were significantly associated with arsenic-induced skin lesions. Therefore, the findings of this study should trigger further research on arsenic exposure and health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Demissie
- Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
| | - Seblework Mekonen
- Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Awoke
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Birhanu Teshome
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - Bezatu Mengistie
- Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
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Abstract
Arsenic poisoning constitutes a major threat to humans, causing various health problems. Almost everywhere across the world certain “hotspots” have been detected, putting in danger the local populations, due to the potential consumption of water or food contaminated with elevated concentrations of arsenic. According to the relevant studies, Asia shows the highest percentage of significantly contaminated sites, followed by North America, Europe, Africa, South America and Oceania. The presence of arsenic in ecosystems can originate from several natural or anthropogenic activities. Arsenic can be then gradually accumulated in different food sources, such as vegetables, rice and other crops, but also in seafood, etc., and in water sources (mainly in groundwater, but also to a lesser extent in surface water), potentially used as drinking-water supplies, provoking their contamination and therefore potential health problems to the consumers. This review reports the major areas worldwide that present elevated arsenic concentrations in food and water sources. Furthermore, it also discusses the sources of arsenic contamination at these sites, as well as selected treatment technologies, aiming to remove this pollutant mainly from the contaminated waters and thus the reduction and prevention of population towards arsenic exposure.
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Ligate F, Ijumulana J, Ahmad A, Kimambo V, Irunde R, Mtamba JO, Mtalo F, Bhattacharya P. Groundwater resources in the East African Rift Valley: Understanding the geogenic contamination and water quality challenges in Tanzania. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
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Fleming DEB, Crook SL, Evans CT, Nader MN, Atia M, Hicks JMT, Sweeney E, McFarlane CR, Kim JS, Keltie E, Adisesh A. Assessing arsenic in human toenail clippings using portable X-ray fluorescence. Appl Radiat Isot 2020; 167:109491. [PMID: 33121893 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic is a toxic metalloid which has been associated with a wide range of health effects in humans including skin abnormalities and an elevated risk of skin, bladder, kidney, and lung cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The measurement of arsenic concentration in nail clippings is often used in population studies as an indicator of arsenic exposure. Portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is an emerging technique for measuring arsenic in nail clippings. In the current study, single toenail clippings from 60 Atlantic Canadian participants were assessed for arsenic using a new portable XRF approach. A mono-energetic portable XRF system using doubly curved crystal optics was used to measure each clipping for a total of 900 s. Energy spectra from each clipping were analyzed for arsenic characteristic X-rays to provide a normalized arsenic signal. The same clippings were then analyzed for arsenic concentration using a "gold standard" method of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Nail clipping arsenic concentrations measured by ICP-MS ranged from 0.030 μg/g to 2.57 μg/g, with a median result of 0.14 μg/g. Portable XRF results for arsenic were compared against ICP-MS arsenic concentrations, with a linear equation of best fit determined between the two variables. A correlation coefficient of r = 0.77 was found from the 59 nail clippings returning an ICP-MS arsenic concentration above the limit of quantitation. When the comparison was limited to the 20 clippings having an XRF normalized signal at least twice as large as the associated uncertainty of measurement, the correlation coefficient was r = 0.89. With the selection of an arsenic concentration of 0.1 μg/g as a cut-off value between "exposed" and "non-exposed" individuals, the XRF method provided a test sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 81%. The corresponding positive predictive value was 88% and the negative predictive value was 65%. The portable XRF technique used in this study shows promise as a means of assessing arsenic concentration in toenail clippings.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E B Fleming
- Physics Department, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada.
| | - Samantha L Crook
- Physics Department, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Colby T Evans
- Physics Department, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Michel N Nader
- Physics Department, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Manuel Atia
- Medical Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jason M T Hicks
- Atlantic PATH, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Ellen Sweeney
- Atlantic PATH, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Jong Sung Kim
- Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Erin Keltie
- Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Anil Adisesh
- Atlantic PATH, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Medicine, Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Business, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
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Qiu Y, Chen X, Yan X, Wang J, Yu G, Ma W, Xiao B, Quinones S, Tian X, Ren X. Gut microbiota perturbations and neurodevelopmental impacts in offspring rats concurrently exposure to inorganic arsenic and fluoride. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 140:105763. [PMID: 32371304 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Many "hot spot" geographic areas across the world with drinking water co-contaminated with inorganic arsenic (iAs) and fluoride (F-), two of the most common natural contaminants in drinking water. Both iAs and F- are known neurotoxins and affect neurodevelopment of children. However, very few studies have investigated the neurodevelopmental effects of concurrent exposure to iAs and F-, which could potentially pose a greater risk than iAs or F- exposure alone. Further, perturbations of gut microbiota, which plays a regulatory role in neurodevelopment, resulting from iAs and F- exposure has been reported in numerous studies. There is lacking of information regarding to the relationship among concurrent iAs and F- exposure, microbiome disruption, and neurodevelopmental impacts. To fill these gaps, we treated offspring rats to iAs (50 mg/L NaAsO2) and F- (100 mg/L NaF), alone or combined from early life (in utero and childhood) to puberty. We applied Morris water maze test to assess spatial learning and memory of these rats and generated gut microbiome profiles using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We showed that concurrent iAs and F- exposure caused more prominent neurodevelopmental effects in rats than either iAs or F- exposure alone. Moreover, Unsupervised Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis of gut microbiome sequencing results separated concurrent exposure group from others, indicating a more sophisticated change of gut microbial communities occurred under the concurrent exposure condition. Further, a correlation analysis between indices of the water maze test and microbial composition at the genus level identified featured genera that were clearly associated with neurobehavioral performance of rats. 75% (9 out of 12) genera, which had a remarkable difference in relative abundance between the control and combined iAs and F- exposure groups, showed significantly strong correlations (r = 0.70-0.90) with the water maze performance indicators. Collectively, these results suggest that concurrent iAs and F- exposure led to more prominent effects on neurodevelopment and gut microbiome composition structures in rats, and the strong correlation between them indicates a high potential for the development of novel microbiome-based biomarkers of iAs and/or F- associated neurodevelopmental deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulan Qiu
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Xushen Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Yan
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Guan Yu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Wenyan Ma
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Bo Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Quinones
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Xiaolin Tian
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Experimental Animal and Human Disease Animal Models, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Xuefeng Ren
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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Asere TG, Stevens CV, Du Laing G. Use of (modified) natural adsorbents for arsenic remediation: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 676:706-720. [PMID: 31054415 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) is a ubiquitous element found in the atmosphere, soils and rocks, natural waters and organisms. It is one of the most toxic elements and has been classified as a human carcinogen (group I). Arsenic contamination in the groundwater has been observed in >70 countries, like Bangladesh, India, West Bengal, Myanmar, Pakistan, Vietnam, Nepal, Cambodia, United States and China. About 200 million people are being exposed to excessive As through consumption of contaminated drinking water. Therefore, developing affordable and efficient techniques to remove As from drinking water is critical to protect human health. The currently available technologies include coagulation-flocculation, adsorption, ion exchange, electrochemical conversion and membrane technologies. However, most of the aforementioned treatment techniques require high initial and maintenance costs, and skilled manpower on top of that. Nowadays, adsorption has been accepted as a suitable removal technology, particularly for developing regions, because of its simple operation, potential for regeneration, and little toxic sludge generation. Processes based on the use of natural, locally available adsorbents are considered to be more accessible for developing countries, have a lower investment cost and a lower environmental impact (CO2 emission). To increase their performance, these materials may be chemically modified. Hence, this review paper presents progress of adsorption technologies for remediation of As contaminated water using chemically modified natural materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsegaye Girma Asere
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University (UGent), Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box 378, Jimma, Ethiopia.
| | - Christian V Stevens
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University (UGent), Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gijs Du Laing
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University (UGent), Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Rango T, Jeuland M, Manthrithilake H, McCornick P. Nephrotoxic contaminants in drinking water and urine, and chronic kidney disease in rural Sri Lanka. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 518-519:574-85. [PMID: 25782025 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.02.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease of unknown ("u") cause (CKDu) is a growing public health concern in Sri Lanka. Prior research has hypothesized a link with drinking water quality, but rigorous studies are lacking. This study assesses the relationship between nephrotoxic elements (namely arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and uranium (U)) in drinking water, and urine samples collected from individuals with and/or without CKDu in endemic areas, and from individuals without CKDu in nonendemic areas. All water samples - from a variety of source types (i.e. shallow and deep wells, springs, piped and surface water) - contained extremely low concentrations of nephrotoxic elements, and all were well below drinking water guideline values. Concentrations in individual urine samples were higher than, and uncorrelated with, those measured in drinking water, suggesting potential exposure from other sources. Mean urinary concentrations of these elements for individuals with clinically diagnosed CKDu were consistently lower than individuals without CKDu both in endemic and nonendemic areas. This likely stems from the inability of the kidney to excrete these toxic elements via urine in CKDu patients. Urinary concentrations of individuals were also found to be within the range of reference values measured in urine of healthy unexposed individuals from international biomonitoring studies, though these reference levels may not be safe for the Sri Lankan population. The results suggest that CKDu cannot be clearly linked with the presence of these contaminants in drinking water. There remains a need to investigate potential interactions of low doses of these elements (particularly Cd and As) with other risk factors that appear linked to CKDu, prior to developing public health strategies to address this illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tewodros Rango
- Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Marc Jeuland
- Sanford School of Public Policy and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Institute of Water Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Peter McCornick
- International Water Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Abstract
Nails are integral extensions of the skin and they together form the largest organ of the human body. Changes in nail appearance can be due to external insults or internal pathologies, and nail signs have to be interpreted in light of a good history. We present an interesting case of a man who developed dark-green discolouration of his nails over a short period of time. His work as a chemical mixer rendered him susceptible to hazardous chemical exposure. A notification was filed and the local Occupational Health Department discovered insufficient protective gear and lack of protocols regarding hazards of isocyanate-based resin. The patient also reported washing utensils with bare hands. Based on the meniscal demarcation borders between the discoloured and normal areas, plus a positive bacterial culture from nail clippings, the final diagnosis of isocyanate-resin-induced onycholysis with secondary Pseudomonas infection remained as the most likely clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence K Leung
- Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - John Harding
- Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Merola RB, Hien TT, Quyen DTT, Vengosh A. Arsenic exposure to drinking water in the Mekong Delta. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 511:544-552. [PMID: 25585157 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.12.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Revised: 12/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater drinking sources was investigated in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam in order to assess the occurrence of As in the groundwater, and the magnitude of As exposure of local residents through measurements of As in toenails of residents consuming groundwater as their major drinking water source. Groundwater (n=68) and toenail (n=62) samples were collected in Dong Thap Province, adjacent to the Mekong River, in southern Vietnam. Fifty-three percent (n=36) of the wells tested had As content above the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended limit of 10 ppb. Samples were divided into Northern (mean As=4.0 ppb) and Southern (329.0 ppb) groups; wells from the Southern group were located closer to the Mekong River. Elevated As contents were associated with depth (<200 m), salinity (low salinity), and redox state (reducing conditions) of the study groundwater. In 79% of the wells, As was primarily composed of the reduced As(III) species. Arsenic content in nails collected from local residents was significantly correlated to As in drinking water (r=0.49, p<0.001), and the relationship improved for pairs in which As in drinking water was higher than 1 ppb (r=0.56, p<0.001). Survey data show that the ratio of As in nail to As in water varied among residents, reflecting differential As bioaccumulation in specific exposed sub-populations. The data show that water filtration and diet, particularly increased consumption of animal protein and dairy, and reduced consumption of seafood, were associated with lower ratios of As in nail to As in water and thus could play important roles in mitigating As exposure in areas where As-rich groundwater is the primary drinking water source.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Merola
- Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Box 90227, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - T T Hien
- Faculty of Environmental Science, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, 227 Nguyen Van Cu Str., Dist. 5, HCMC, Vietnam
| | - D T T Quyen
- Faculty of Environmental Science, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, 227 Nguyen Van Cu Str., Dist. 5, HCMC, Vietnam
| | - A Vengosh
- Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Box 90227, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
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