Prevalence of chronic diseases in adults exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water

Am J Public Health. 2004 Nov;94(11):1936-7. doi: 10.2105/ajph.94.11.1936.

Abstract

Inorganic arsenic is naturally occurring in groundwaters throughout the United States. This study investigated arsenic exposure and self-report of 9 chronic diseases. We received private well-water samples and questionnaires from 1185 people who reported drinking their water for 20 or more years. Respondents with arsenic levels of 2 microg/L or greater were statistically more likely to report a history of depression, high blood pressure, circulatory problems, and bypass surgery than were respondents with arsenic concentrations less than 2 microg/L.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arsenic / toxicity*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / chemically induced
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Chronic Disease / epidemiology
  • Depression / chemically induced
  • Depression / epidemiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / chemically induced
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology*
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*
  • Water Supply*
  • Wisconsin / epidemiology

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Arsenic