Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Centre, Phulwarisharif, Patna, 801505, Bihar, India.
University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Apr;29(18):27443-27459. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-18207-6. Epub 2022 Jan 4.
Fast growing arsenic menace is causing serious health hazards in Bihar, India, with an estimated 10 million people at risk. The exposed population is often unaware of the problem, which only amplifies the burden of arsenic health effects. In the present study, we have assessed the current situation of arsenic exposure in Chapar village of Samastipur district, Bihar. The health of the inhabitants was assessed and correlated with (1) arsenic concentrations in the groundwater of individual wells and (2) arsenic concentration found in their hair and urine. Altogether, 113 inhabitants were assessed, and 113 hair, urine and groundwater samples were collected. The health study reveals that the exposure to arsenic has caused serious health hazard amongst the exposed population with pronounced skin manifestations, loss of appetite, anaemia, constipation, diarrhoea, general body weakness, raised blood pressure, breathlessness, diabetes, mental disabilities, diabetes, lumps in the body and few cancer incidences. It was found that 52% of the total collected groundwater samples had arsenic levels higher than the WHO limit of 10 µg/l (with a maximum arsenic concentration of 1212 µg/l) and the reduced arsenite was the predominant form in samples tested for speciation (N = 19). In the case of hair samples, 29% of the samples had arsenic concentrations higher than the permissible limit of 0.2 mg/kg, with a maximum arsenic concentration of 46 µg/l, while in 20% exposed population, there was significant arsenic contamination in urine samples > 50 µg/l. In Chapar village, the probability of carcinogenic-related risk in the exposed population consuming arsenic contaminated water is 100% for children, 99.1% for females and 97.3% for male subjects. The assessment report shared to the government enabled the village population to receive two arsenic filter units. These units are currently operational and catering 250 households providing arsenic-free water through piped water scheme. This study therefore identified a significant solution for this arsenic-exposed population.
在印度比哈尔邦，快速增长的砷威胁正在造成严重的健康危害，估计有 1000 万人面临风险。受影响的人群往往没有意识到这个问题，这只会加剧砷对健康的影响。在本研究中，我们评估了比哈尔邦萨马蒂普尔区查帕尔村的当前砷暴露情况。评估了居民的健康状况，并将其与（1）个别水井地下水的砷浓度和（2）头发和尿液中的砷浓度进行了关联。总共评估了 113 名居民，并采集了 113 份头发、尿液和地下水样本。健康研究表明，暴露于砷已对暴露人群造成严重健康危害，表现为明显的皮肤症状、食欲不振、贫血、便秘、腹泻、全身无力、血压升高、呼吸困难、糖尿病、智力障碍、糖尿病、体内肿块和少数癌症病例。结果发现，总采集地下水样本中有 52%的砷含量超过世界卫生组织规定的 10μg/L（最高砷浓度为 1212μg/L），且测试的样品中以亚砷酸盐为主（N=19）。在头发样本中，29%的样本中砷浓度超过允许限值 0.2mg/kg，最高砷浓度为 46μg/L，而在 20%的暴露人群中，尿液样本中的砷污染显著>50μg/L。在查帕尔村，饮用受砷污染水的暴露人群患癌症相关风险的概率为儿童 100%，女性 99.1%，男性 97.3%。向政府提交的评估报告使该村居民能够获得两个砷过滤装置。这些装置目前正在运行，为 250 户家庭提供通过管道供水计划提供无砷水。因此，本研究为这一砷暴露人群找到了一个重要的解决方案。
