Evaluation of low-to-moderate arsenic exposure, metabolism and skin lesions in a Turkish rural population exposed through drinking water

Usama Alshana; Beril Altun; Nusret Ertaş; Gonca Çakmak; Ela Kadioglu; Deniz Hisarlı; Elif Aşık; Eşref Atabey; Celalettin Rumi Çelebi; Nazmi Bilir; Hakan Serçe; A Murat Tuncer; Sema Burgaz

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135277

Evaluation of low-to-moderate arsenic exposure, metabolism and skin lesions in a Turkish rural population exposed through drinking water

Chemosphere. 2022 Oct:304:135277. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135277. Epub 2022 Jun 7.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Gazi University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Ankara, Turkey.
² Gazi University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Ankara, Turkey.
³ Middle East Technical University, Department of Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey.
⁴ Middle East Technical University, Department of Biotechnology, Ankara, Turkey.
⁵ General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Ankara, Turkey.
⁶ Consultant Dermatologist, HRS, MIM and Kecioren Hospitals, Ankara, Turkey.
⁷ Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Ankara, Turkey.
⁸ Ürgüp State Hospital, Turkish Ministry of Health, Nevşehir, Turkey.
⁹ Turkish Ministry of Health, Cancer Control Department, Ankara, Turkey.
¹⁰ Gazi University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: burgaz@gazi.edu.tr.

PMID: 35688195
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135277

Abstract

Background: There is no human data regarding the exposure, metabolism and potential health effects of arsenic (As) contamination in drinking water in the Central Anatolian region of Turkey.

Methods: Residents in ten villages with drinking water of total As (T-As) level >50 μg L^-1 and 10-50 μg L^-1 were selected as an exposed group (n = 420) and <10 μg L^-1 as an unexposed group (n = 185). Time-weighted average-As (TWA-As) intake was calculated from T-As analysis of drinking water samples. Concentrations of T-As in urine and hair samples, urinary As species [i.e., As(III), As(V), MMA(V) and DMA(V], and some micronutrients in serum samples of residents of the study area were determined. Primary and secondary methylation indices (PMI and SMI, respectively) were assessed from urinary As species concentrations and the presence of skin lesion was examined.

Results: TWA-As intake was found as 75 μg L^-1 in the exposed group. Urinary and hair T-As and urinary As species concentrations were significantly higher in the exposed group (P < 0.05). The PMI and SMI values revealed that methylation capacities of the residents were efficient and that there was no saturation in As metabolism. No significant increase was observed in the frequency of skin lesions (hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, keratosis) of the exposed group (P > 0.05). Only frequency of keratosis either at the hand or foot was higher in individuals with hair As concentration >1 μg g^-1 (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Individuals living in the study area were chronically exposed to low-to-moderate As due to geological contamination in drinking water. No significant increase was observed in the frequency of skin lesions. Because of the controversy surrounding the health risks of low-to-moderate As exposure, it is critical to initiate long-term follow-up studies on health effects in this region.

Keywords: Arsenic species; Central Anatolia; Drinking water (<100 μg L(-1) arsenic); Exposure biomarkers; Geogenic arsenic pollution; Skin lesions.

MeSH terms

Arsenic* / analysis
Drinking Water* / analysis
Environmental Exposure / analysis
Humans
Keratosis*
Rural Population
Skin Diseases* / chemically induced
Skin Diseases* / epidemiology
Turkey / epidemiology
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

Drinking Water
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Arsenic