Evaluation of low to Moderate Arsenic Exposure, Metabolism and Skin Lesions in a Turkish Rural Population

Abstract Background: There is no human data regarding exposure, metabolism and potential health effects of arsenic (As) contamination in drinking water in the Central Anatolian region, Turkey. Methods: Residents in the 10 villages with drinking water total As (T-As) level >50 µg/L and 10-50 µg/L were selected as an exposed group (n=420) and, <10 µg/L as a control group (n=185). Time-weighted average-As (TWA-As) intakes were calculated from T-As analysis of drinking water samples (DWS). Other metals in DWS, concentrations of T-As in urine and hair samples, urinary As species (S-As) (As (III), As (V), MMA-V and DMA-V), and some micronutrients in serum samples of residents were analyzed. Primary and secondary methylation indexes (PMI, SMI; respectively) were assessed from S-As concentrations. . Skin lesion presence was examined. Results: TWA-As intake was 75.15 ppb in exposed group. Urinary and hair T-As and urinary S-As concentrations were significantly higher in exposed group (p<0.05). PMI and SMI values are revealed that methylation capacities of the residents were efficient and there was no saturation in As metabolism. No significant increase was observed in the frequency of skin lesions (hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, keratosis) of exposed group (p>0.05). Only frequency of keratosis either at hand or foot was higher in individuals with hair As concentration >1 µg/g (p<0.05).Conclusion: Current study findings of chronic As exposure through drinking water of individuals living in the study area, could contribute to overall health risk assessment of regulatory agencies’ meta-analysis efforts on low-to moderate As exposure (<100 µg/L).