Non-cancer Effects of Chronic Arsenicosis in Bangladesh: Preliminary Results

Abstract

A total of 136 patients were studied in three Upazillas of Laxmipur, Barisal and Madaripur districts were selected for health awareness campaign program. According to the existing data, these villages were ranked as high exposure. Demographic data of the patients investigated are showing pigmentation was seen in all—136 cases, keratosis was found only in 110 cases, and skin ulcer was detected in 13 cases. The predominant features are indicating respiratory sign and symptoms followed by conjunctival congestion and redness of eyes. Weakness was predominant symptom, and all most all cases reported weakness. There were few smokers (n = 16) and analyses were confined to non-smokers (n = 94). A total of the 94 subjects participated in this study. The sex ratio was 1:1.3 (male vs. female). The relative risk of chronic cough increased with age (RR = 2.12, for 26–50 age group; RR = 2.30 for age group more than 51) reflecting chronic exposure, but the 95% confidence intervals included unity. The relative risk of chronic bronchitis increased with age (RR = 2.68, for 26–50 age group; RR = 2.30 for age group more than 51) reflecting chronic exposure, but the 95% confidence intervals also included unity. The findings presented here provide evidence that ingestion of inorganic arsenic in drinking water may results in increases risk of chronic cough and bronchitis.

Keywords:

• Arsenic; Arsenicosis
• Bangladesh
• Cross-sectional study
• Drinking water
• Epidemiology
• Respiratory disease
• Skin lesions

Acknowledgment

The authors thank Dr. Dipankar Chakraborti, Jadavpur University, Calcutta, India, for analyzing water arsenic levels, and Save the Children, USA, Bangladesh Field office.