Determination of Zones exposed to Arsenical Water and CERHA prevalence in Villa Belgrano, Tucumán, Argentina

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In Tucumán, the arsenic concentration in water fluctuates between 0,1 and 0,01 ppm. The provincial health system does not have any record of cases. OBJECTIVES: To identify and create a map of environmental risk, estimating also chronic endemic regional hydroarsenicism (CERHA) prevalence in Villa Belgrano and exploring the relation between arsenic concentration in water and clinical manifestations. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed. All water sources were analyzed and 119 adults were randomly selected. The definition of case considered the own criteria, which differed from the ones of World Health Organization (WHO) regarding arsenic concentration in water, urine and hair as well as time of consumption. The study criteria is most sensible in arsenic water concentration. Those who had consumed water with more than 0.01 parts per million (ppm) for over 5 years and presented more than 3 ug/g in hair and/or more than 40 ug/g in urine with compatible clinical signs were considered as cases. RESULTS: 75 % of water sources had arsenic levels higher than 0.01 ppm. According to the WHO criteria, there were 51 probable cases and there was not any defined case. According to the study criteria, there were 3 defined cases with a prevalence of 2.6%. The study did not find an association between with non-cutaneous or serious cutaneous injuries and arsenic level in water higher than 0.01 ppm. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence estimated according to the study criteria was similar to the one established in the bibliography under the same conditions, though with other criteria which are not comparable.