1
|
Schrenk D, Bignami M, Bodin L, Chipman JK, del Mazo J, Grasl‐Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Hoogenboom L(R, Leblanc J, Nebbia CS, Nielsen E, Ntzani E, Petersen A, Sand S, Vleminckx C, Wallace H, Barregård L, Benford D, Broberg K, Dogliotti E, Fletcher T, Rylander L, Abrahantes JC, Gómez Ruiz JÁ, Steinkellner H, Tauriainen T, Schwerdtle T. Update of the risk assessment of inorganic arsenic in food. EFSA J 2024; 22:e8488. [PMID: 38239496 PMCID: PMC10794945 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2009 risk assessment on arsenic in food carrying out a hazard assessment of inorganic arsenic (iAs) and using the revised exposure assessment issued by EFSA in 2021. Epidemiological studies show that the chronic intake of iAs via diet and/or drinking water is associated with increased risk of several adverse outcomes including cancers of the skin, bladder and lung. The CONTAM Panel used the benchmark dose lower confidence limit based on a benchmark response (BMR) of 5% (relative increase of the background incidence after adjustment for confounders, BMDL05) of 0.06 μg iAs/kg bw per day obtained from a study on skin cancer as a Reference Point (RP). Inorganic As is a genotoxic carcinogen with additional epigenetic effects and the CONTAM Panel applied a margin of exposure (MOE) approach for the risk characterisation. In adults, the MOEs are low (range between 2 and 0.4 for mean consumers and between 0.9 and 0.2 at the 95th percentile exposure, respectively) and as such raise a health concern despite the uncertainties.
Collapse
|
2
|
García Salcedo JJ, Roh T, Nava Rivera LE, Betancourt Martínez ND, Carranza Rosales P, San Miguel Salazar MF, Rivera Guillén MA, Serrano Gallardo LB, Niño Castañeda MS, Guzmán Delgado NE, Millán Orozco J, Ortega Morales N, Morán Martínez J. Comparative Biomonitoring of Arsenic Exposure in Mothers and Their Neonates in Comarca Lagunera, Mexico. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16232. [PMID: 36498305 PMCID: PMC9739351 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Multiple comorbidities related to arsenic exposure through drinking water continue to be public problems worldwide, principally in chronically exposed populations, such as those in the Comarca Lagunera (CL), Mexico. In addition, this relationship could be exacerbated by an early life exposure through the placenta and later through breast milk. This study conducted a comparative analysis of arsenic levels in multiple biological samples from pregnant women and their neonates in the CL and the comparison region, Saltillo. Total arsenic levels in placenta, breast milk, blood, and urine were measured in pregnant women and their neonates from rural areas of seven municipalities of the CL using atomic absorption spectrophotometry with hydride generation methodology. The average concentrations of tAs in drinking water were 47.7 µg/L and 0.05 µg/L in the exposed and non-exposed areas, respectively. Mean levels of tAs were 7.80 µg/kg, 77.04 µg/g-Cr, and 4.30 µg/L in placenta, blood, urine, and breast milk, respectively, in mothers, and 107.92 µg/g-Cr in neonates in the exposed group, which were significantly higher than those in the non-exposed area. High levels of urinary arsenic in neonates were maintained 4 days after birth, demonstrating an early arsenic exposure route through the placenta and breast milk. In addition, our study suggested that breastfeeding may reduce arsenic exposure in infants in arsenic-contaminated areas. Further studies are necessary to follow up on comorbidities later in life in neonates and to provide interventions in this region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Javier García Salcedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Farmacología, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila Torreón, Torreón 27000, Mexico
| | - Taehyun Roh
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Lydia Enith Nava Rivera
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Ultraestructura, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila Torreón, Torreón 27000, Mexico
| | - Nadia Denys Betancourt Martínez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Ultraestructura, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila Torreón, Torreón 27000, Mexico
| | - Pilar Carranza Rosales
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas del Noreste, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Monterrey 64000, Mexico
| | - María Francisco San Miguel Salazar
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Farmacología, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila Torreón, Torreón 27000, Mexico
| | - Mario Alberto Rivera Guillén
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Farmacología, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila Torreón, Torreón 27000, Mexico
| | - Luis Benjamín Serrano Gallardo
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Farmacología, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila Torreón, Torreón 27000, Mexico
| | - María Soñadora Niño Castañeda
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Ultraestructura, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila Torreón, Torreón 27000, Mexico
| | - Nacny Elena Guzmán Delgado
- División de Investigaciones en Salud, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Cardiología #34, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Monterrey 64000, Mexico
| | - Jair Millán Orozco
- Unidad Laguna, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Raúl López Sánchez, Torreon 27000, Mexico
| | - Natalia Ortega Morales
- División de Investigaciones en Salud, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Cardiología #34, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Monterrey 64000, Mexico
| | - Javier Morán Martínez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Ultraestructura, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila Torreón, Torreón 27000, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sandhi A, Yu C, Rahman MM, Amin MN. Arsenic in the water and agricultural crop production system: Bangladesh perspectives. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:51354-51366. [PMID: 35618999 PMCID: PMC9288370 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20880-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
The presence of high levels of carcinogenic metalloid arsenic (As) in the groundwater system of Bangladesh has been considered as one of the major environmental disasters in this region. Many parts of Bangladesh have extensively reported the presence of high levels of arsenic in the groundwater due to both geological and anthropogenic activities. In this paper, we reviewed the available literature and scientific information regarding arsenic pollution in Bangladesh, including arsenic chemistry and occurrences. Along with using As-rich groundwater as a drinking-water source, the agricultural activities and especially irrigation have greatly depended on the groundwater resources in this region due to high water demands for ensuring food security. A number of investigations in Bangladesh have shown that high arsenic content in both soil and groundwater may result in high levels of arsenic accumulation in different plants, including cereals and vegetables. This review provides information regarding arsenic accumulation in major rice varieties, soil-groundwater-rice arsenic interaction, and past arsenic policies and plans, as well as previously implemented arsenic mitigation options for both drinking and irrigation water systems in Bangladesh. In conclusion, this review highlights the importance and necessity for more in-depth studies as well as more effective arsenic mitigation action plans to reduce arsenic incorporation in the food chain of Bangladesh.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arifin Sandhi
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, 391 82, Kalmar, Sweden.
| | - Changxun Yu
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, 391 82, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Md Marufur Rahman
- Bangladesh Institute of Research and Training On Applied Nutrition, Rangpur Regional Station, Pirgonj-5470, Rangpur, Bangladesh
| | - Md Nurul Amin
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6420, USA
- Breeder Seed Production Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Debiganj, Panchagarh-5020, Bangladesh
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sinha D, Prasad P. Health effects inflicted by chronic low-level arsenic contamination in groundwater: A global public health challenge. J Appl Toxicol 2019; 40:87-131. [PMID: 31273810 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater arsenic (As) contamination is a global public health concern. The high level of As exposure (100-1000 μg/L or even higher) through groundwater has been frequently associated with serious public health hazards, e.g., skin disorders, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems, complications of gastrointestinal tract, liver and splenic ailments, kidney and bladder disorders, reproductive failure, neurotoxicity and cancer. However, reviews on low-level As exposure and the imperative health effects are far less documented. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has set the permissible standard of As in drinking water at 10 μg/L. Considering the WHO and USEPA guidelines, most of the developed countries have established standards at or below this guideline. Worldwide many countries including India have millions of aquifers with low-level As contamination (≤50 μg/L). The exposed population of these areas might not show any As-related skin lesions (hallmark of As toxicity particularly in a population consuming As contaminated groundwater >300 μg/L) but might be subclinically affected. This review has attempted to encompass the wide range of health effects associated with chronic low-level As exposure ≤50 μg/L and the probable mechanisms that might provide a better insight regarding the underlying cause of these clinical manifestations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to create mass awareness about the health effects of chronic low-level As exposure and planning of proper mitigation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dona Sinha
- Receptor Biology and Tumor Metastasis, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Priyanka Prasad
- Receptor Biology and Tumor Metastasis, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rahman M, Sohel N, Yunus FM, Alam N, Nahar Q, Streatfield PK, Yunus M. Arsenic exposure and young adult's mortality risk: A 13-year follow-up study in Matlab, Bangladesh. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 123:358-367. [PMID: 30562707 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Widespread arsenic contamination in underground water is a well-documented public health concern that threatens millions of lives worldwide. We investigated the risk of young-adult mortality due to high chronic exposure to arsenic through years of drinking arsenic contaminated water. METHODS A prospective cohort study of 58,406 individuals was enrolled who were 4-18 years at baseline. Since Matlab HDSS (Health and Demographic Surveillance System) has an active surveillance system, all individuals were included in the follow up. Each individual's arsenic exposure was calculated at (1) baseline As level as current exposure (2) time-weighted lifetime (average or lifetime average) and (3) cumulative arsenic exposure. Age, sex, educational attainment and SES were adjusted during the analysis. In this 13 years closed-cohort study (2003-2015), all young-adult deaths were captured through verbal autopsy (VA) using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) to define the causes. RESULTS Although, girls had higher values of cumulative arsenic exposure via tube well water than boys (median: 1858.5 μg/year/L vs. 1798.8 μg/year/L) but higher mortality due to cancers and due to cerebro-vascular disease, cardio-vascular disease, and respiratory disease (7.0 vs. 5.7 per 100,000 person-years and 6.4 vs. 4.2 per 100,000 person-years respectively). Higher risk of deaths among young adults (Adjusted HR: 2.7, 1.3-5.8) due to all cancers among those who were exposed to As > 138.7 compared to As ≤ 1.1 μg/L. For cerebro-vascular disease, cardio-vascular disease, and respiratory disease deaths, average arsenic in well water (>223.1 μg/L vs. ≤90.9 μg/L) and cumulative arsenic in well water (>2711.0 μg/year/L vs. ≤1013.3 μg/year/L) had 4.8 (1.8-12.8) and 5.1 (1.7-15.1) times higher risks of mortality than to those lowest exposed. CONCLUSION Higher concentration of, and chronic exposure to arsenic in drinking water, increases the mortality risk among the young adults, regardless of gender.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahfuzar Rahman
- Research and Evaluation Division, BRAC, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Nazmul Sohel
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Fakir Md Yunus
- Research and Evaluation Division, BRAC, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Nurul Alam
- ICDDRB, 68 Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Qamrun Nahar
- ICDDRB, 68 Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | | | - Mohammad Yunus
- ICDDRB, 68 Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Murko M, Elek B, Styblo M, Thomas DJ, Francesconi KA. Dose and Diet - Sources of Arsenic Intake in Mouse in Utero Exposure Scenarios. Chem Res Toxicol 2018; 31:156-164. [PMID: 29244955 PMCID: PMC6611170 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.7b00309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In humans, early life exposure to inorganic arsenic is associated with adverse health effects. Inorganic arsenic in utero or in early postnatal life also produces adverse health effects in offspring of pregnant mice that consumed drinking water containing low part per billion levels of inorganic arsenic. Because aggregate exposure of pregnant mice to inorganic arsenic from both drinking water and food has not been fully evaluated in experimental studies, quantifying arsenic exposure of the developing mouse is problematic. Here, we determined levels of total arsenic and arsenic species in natural ingredient rodent diets that are composed of many plant and animal-derived foodstuffs and in a purified ingredient rodent diet that is composed of a more restricted mixture of foodstuffs. In natural ingredient diets, total arsenic levels ranged from ∼60 to ∼400 parts per billion, and in the purified ingredient diet, total arsenic level was 13 parts per billion. Inorganic arsenic was the predominant arsenic species in trifluoroacetic acid extracts of each diet. Various exposure scenarios were evaluated using information on inorganic arsenic levels in diet and drinking water and on daily food and water consumption of pregnant mice. In a scenario in which pregnant mice consumed drinking water with 10 parts per billion of inorganic arsenic and a natural ingredient diet containing 89 parts per billion of inorganic arsenic, drinking water contributed only ∼20% of inorganic arsenic intake. Quantitation of arsenic species in diets used in studies in which drinking water is the nominal source of arsenic exposure provides more accurate dosimetry and improves understanding of dose-response relations. Use of purified ingredient diets will minimize the discrepancy between the target dosage level and the actual dosage level attained in utero exposure studies designed to evaluate effects of low level exposure to inorganic arsenic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Murko
- Institute of Chemistry, NAWI Graz, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Brittany Elek
- Pharmacokinetics Branch, Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Miroslav Styblo
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27719, United States
| | - David J. Thomas
- Pharmacokinetics Branch, Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yunus FM, Khan S, Chowdhury P, Milton AH, Hussain S, Rahman M. A Review of Groundwater Arsenic Contamination in Bangladesh: The Millennium Development Goal Era and Beyond. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:215. [PMID: 26891310 PMCID: PMC4772235 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13020215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Revised: 01/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic contamination in drinking water has a detrimental impact on human health which profoundly impairs the quality of life. Despite recognition of the adverse health implications of arsenic toxicity, there have been few studies to date to suggest measures that could be taken to overcome arsenic contamination. After the statement in 2000 WHO Bulletin that Bangladesh has been experiencing the largest mass poisoning of population in history, we researched existing literature to assess the magnitude of groundwater arsenic contamination in Bangladesh. The literature reviewed related research that had been initiated and/or completed since the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) under four domains: (1) extent of arsenic contamination; (2) health consequences; (3) mitigation and technologies and (4) future directions. To this means, a review matrix was established for analysis of previous literature based on these four core domains. Our findings revealed that several high-quality research articles were produced at the beginning of the MDG period, but efforts have dwindled in recent years. Furthermore, there were only a few studies conducted that focused on developing suitable solutions for managing arsenic contamination. Although the government of Bangladesh has made its population’s access to safe drinking water a priority agenda item, there are still pockets of the population that continue to suffer from arsenic toxicity due to contaminated water supplies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fakir Md Yunus
- BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, 75 Mohakhali, BRAC Centre, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
- James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, 68 Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Safayet Khan
- BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, 75 Mohakhali, BRAC Centre, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Priyanka Chowdhury
- BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, 75 Mohakhali, BRAC Centre, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Abul Hasnat Milton
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB), School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Sumaira Hussain
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB), School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Mahfuzar Rahman
- BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, 75 Mohakhali, BRAC Centre, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
| |
Collapse
|