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Mass poisoning by sodium arsenite.
O E Roses1, J C García Fernández, E C Villaamil
1Cátedra de Toxicología Química Legal, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
A massive arsenic poisoning epidemic in Argentina affected 718 people. Higher urine arsenic levels correlated with increased symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting, indicating severity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- An acute, large-scale arsenic poisoning event occurred in Argentina, impacting a significant population.
- Arsenic exposure can lead to severe health consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between urine arsenic levels and clinical symptoms in an arsenic poisoning epidemic.
- To assess the impact of dimercaprol treatment on affected individuals.
Main Methods:
- Collected urine samples from 307 subjects out of 718 involved in the epidemic.
- Administered dimercaprol treatment to 49 subjects with urine arsenic 76-500 micrograms/dL and 12 with >500 micrograms/dL.
- Correlated urine arsenic concentrations with reported symptomatology.
Main Results:
- Symptomatology, including diarrhea, vomiting, and systemic effects, intensified with increasing urine arsenic concentrations.
- Elevated symptoms were observed when urine arsenic levels exceeded 75 micrograms/dL.
- Dimercaprol treatment was administered to individuals with moderately to highly elevated urine arsenic levels.
Conclusions:
- Urine arsenic levels are a critical indicator of poisoning severity and associated symptomatology.
- Prompt identification and potential intervention, such as dimercaprol treatment, are crucial in managing arsenic poisoning epidemics.