Arsenic and non-malignant lung disease

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

• Arsenic contamination in aquifers is a global issue, with India and Bangladesh reporting unprecedented numbers of affected individuals.
• Chronic arsenic toxicity manifests as characteristic skin lesions and emerging evidence suggests non-malignant respiratory effects from ingested arsenic in drinking water.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between arsenic exposure through drinking water and non-malignant respiratory diseases.
• To quantify the prevalence and risk of respiratory conditions like chronic cough and bronchitis in populations exposed to arsenic.

Main Methods:

• Epidemiological studies in West Bengal (n=7683) and Bangladesh (n=218) assessed arsenic levels in drinking water and prevalence of skin lesions and respiratory symptoms.
• Lung function tests, chest X-rays, and HRCT scans were conducted on individuals with suspected arsenic toxicity and chronic lung disease.

Main Results:

• High arsenic levels (> or = 0.5 mg/L) in drinking water were associated with increased odds of chronic cough in West Bengal (POR 7.8 for females, 5.0 for males).
• In Bangladesh, a higher prevalence ratio for chronic bronchitis was observed in females (10.3) compared to males (1.6).
• Evidence of restrictive, obstructive, and combined lung diseases, including COPD, ILD, and bronchiectasis, was found in patients with arsenic toxicity.

Conclusions:

• Ingestion of arsenic-contaminated drinking water is a significant risk factor for non-malignant respiratory diseases.
• Arsenic is confirmed as a potent respiratory toxicant, impacting lung health even through oral exposure.