Spatial and temporal variations in arsenic exposure via drinking-water in northern Argentina.
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Date
2006-09-21
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Abstract
This study evaluated the spatial, temporal and inter-individual variations in exposure to arsenic via drinking-water in Northern Argentina, based on measurements of arsenic in water, urine, and hair. Arsenic concentrations in drinking-water varied markedly among locations, from <1 to about 200 microg/L. Over a 10-year period, water from the same source in San Antonio de los Cobres fluctuated within 140 and 220 microg/L, with no trend of decreasing concentration. Arsenic concentrations in women's urine (3-900 microg/L, specific weight 1.018 g/mL) highly correlated with concentrations in water on a group level, but showed marked variations between individuals. Arsenic concentrations in hair (range 20-1,500 microg/kg) rather poorly correlated with urinary arsenic, possibly due to external contamination. Thus, arsenic concentration in urine seems to be a better marker of individual arsenic exposure than concentrations in drinking-water and hair.
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Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition.
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Concha G, Nermell B, Vahter M. Spatial and temporal variations in arsenic exposure via drinking-water in northern Argentina. Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition. 2006 Sep; 24(3): 317-26