Some aspects of the environmental exposure to arsenic in Romania

The main sources of arsenic emission in Romania are ore smelters and refineries. Arsenic determinations were carried out by the silver diethyldithiocarbamate spectrophotometric method on hair and urine samples taken from smelter workers and individuals residing in two polluted areas and three areas not polluted by arsenic. Arsenic in hair was found to be a more reliable biologic test than tests on urine, obviously reflecting the differences in arsenic concentrations in workroom air. Repeated determinations for arsenic content after 3 years revealed a twofold increased rate in the 48 re-examined workers. Hair arsenic analysis in people living in two locations near an ore smelter and a refinery indicated high-levels compared to those of individuals residing in nonpolluted areas. Epidemiological studies are necessary in order to ascertain effects of heavy arsenic exposure in relation with concurrent exposures to respiratory irritants and metals.