Arsenic is a ubiquitous, naturally occurring metalloid that may be a significant risk factor for cancer after exposure to contaminated drinking water, cigarettes, foods, industry, occupational environment, and air. Among the various routes of arsenic exposure, drinking water is the largest source of arsenic poisoning worldwide. Arsenic exposure from ingested foods usually comes from food crops grown in arsenic-contaminated soil and/or irrigated with arsenic-contaminated water. According to a recent World Health Organization report, arsenic from contaminated water can be quickly and easily absorbed and depending on its metabolic form, may adversely affect human health. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration regulations for metals found in cosmetics to protect consumers against contaminations deemed deleterious to health; some cosmetics were found to contain a variety of chemicals including heavy metals, which are sometimes used as preservatives. Moreover, developing countries tend to have a growing number of industrial factories that unfortunately, harm the environment, especially in cities where industrial and vehicle emissions, as well as household activities, cause serious air pollution. Air is also an important source of arsenic exposure in areas with industrial activity. The presence of arsenic in airborne particulate matter is considered a risk for certain diseases. Taken together, various potential pathways of arsenic exposure seem to affect humans adversely, and future efforts to reduce arsenic exposure caused by environmental factors should be made.
Arsenic/*analysis ; Cosmetics/chemistry ; Drinking Water/chemistry ; *Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Particulate Matter/chemistry ; Smoking ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/*analysis

Arsenic is a ubiquitous, naturally occurring metalloid that may be a significant risk factor for cancer after exposure to contaminated drinking water, cigarettes, foods, industry, occupational environment, and air. Among the various routes of arsenic exposure, drinking water is the largest source of arsenic poisoning worldwide. Arsenic exposure from ingested foods usually comes from food crops grown in arsenic-contaminated soil and/or irrigated with arsenic-contaminated water. According to a recent World Health Organization report, arsenic from contaminated water can be quickly and easily absorbed and depending on its metabolic form, may adversely affect human health. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration regulations for metals found in cosmetics to protect consumers against contaminations deemed deleterious to health; some cosmetics were found to contain a variety of chemicals including heavy metals, which are sometimes used as preservatives. Moreover, developing countries tend to have a growing number of industrial factories that unfortunately, harm the environment, especially in cities where industrial and vehicle emissions, as well as household activities, cause serious air pollution. Air is also an important source of arsenic exposure in areas with industrial activity. The presence of arsenic in airborne particulate matter is considered a risk for certain diseases. Taken together, various potential pathways of arsenic exposure seem to affect humans adversely, and future efforts to reduce arsenic exposure caused by environmental factors should be made.
Arsenic/*analysis ; Cosmetics/chemistry ; Drinking Water/chemistry ; *Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Particulate Matter/chemistry ; Smoking ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/*analysis

OBJECTIVEThis study was to understand the status of pollution on drinking water, by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), among rural residents living in the basin of Huaihe River. Relationship between the morbidity, morbidity of cancers and VOCs were also explored.

METHODS28 villages were chosen from Xuyi,Jinhu, Chuzhou along the Huaihe River, with water samples collected from ditch pond water, shallow wells, deep wells in November-December 2010. VOCs indicators were evaluated according to the Standard Quality GB 5749-2006 for Drinking Water.

RESULTSMethylene chloride, chloroform, benzene and carbon tetrachloride were all detected in 76 water samples. The rates of chloroform, benzene, carbon tetrachloride which exceeding the quality standards were 3.95% , 21.05% and 22.37% , but no significant differences were found among these three water resources in chloroform, benzene or carbon tetrachloride. Results from the correlation analysis showed that benzene had positive correlation with tumor deaths (r = 0.24, P < 0.05). Results from the risk assessment on health showed that some chloroform, benzene, carbon tetrachloride products which were related to the risks of cancers were exceeding the acceptable ranges of risk, with the rates as 28.95%, 22.37% and 64.47% but with no significant differences among the three water resources (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDrinking waters for rural residents along the Huaihe River were polluted while VOCs might have related to tumor incidence with potential impact and risk to the health of local residents.

China ; Drinking Water ; chemistry ; Humans ; Risk Assessment ; Rural Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Water Pollution, Chemical ; adverse effects ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the changes of protein expression of mitochondrial fission gene dynamin-related 1(Drp 1) in the cortical neurons of rats with chronic fluorosis.

METHODSA total of 120 one-month-old SD rats (each weighing approximately 100-120 g at the beginning of the experiment) were randomly divided into three groups, and fed with the different doses of fluoride containing in drinking water (untreated control containing 0 mg/L fluoride, and low-fluoride & high-fluoride supplemented with 10 and 50 mg/L fluoride,respectively). After 3 or 6 months exposure, 20 rats from each group were killed. Then the protein expression of mitochondrial fission gene, Drp1, was detected by immunohistochemistry and western-blotting method.

RESULTSDental fluorosis and urinary fluorosis were obviously found in the rats exposed to fluoride. At the experiment period of 3 months, the numbers of positive cells of Drp1 detected by immunohistochemistry changed. Compared with the control group (36.3 ± 5.8), the changes in low-fluoride group (34.7 ± 4.1) showed no significant difference (t = 1.5, P > 0.05),but the increase in high-fluoride group (45.0 ± 4.7) had statistical significance (t = 8.8, P < 0.05). The western-blotting method had consistent results. Compared with the control group (0.59 ± 0.03), a significant increase of the average topical density in low- fluoride (0.62 ± 0.03) and high-fluoride (0.71 ± 0.02) groups were found (t = 0.02,0.11, P < 0.05). At the experiment period of 6 months, the numbers of positive cells of Drp1 detected by immunohistochemistry significantly changed. Compared with the control group (33.2 ± 4.4), the number in low- fluoride and high-fluoride groups were separately (36.6 ± 3.8) and (39.4 ± 4.2),both increased significantly (t = 3.5,6.3, P < 0.05). Same results could be found in western-blotting method,compared with the control group (0.65 ± 0.06), the average topical density in low- fluoride (0.80 ± 0.09) and high-fluoride (0.76 ± 0.08) groups both increased significantly (t = 0.1,0.1, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTaking excessive amount of fluoride might result in the changes of expression of Drp1, and the neurons damage from the chronic fluorosis might be associated with the hyperfunction of mitochondrial fusion.

Animals ; Drinking Water ; chemistry ; Dynamins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fluoride Poisoning ; metabolism ; Fluorides ; urine ; Fluorosis, Dental ; metabolism ; Male ; Mitochondrial Dynamics ; Neurons ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Risk assessment considers the situations and characteristics of the exposure environment and host. Various physiological variables of the human body reflects the characteristics of the population that can directly influence risk exposure. Therefore, identification of exposure factors based on the Korean population is required for appropriate risk assessment. It is expected that a handbook about general exposure factors will be used by professionals in many fields as well as the risk assessors of the health department. The process of developing the exposure factors handbook for the Korean population will be introduced in this article, with a specific focus on the general exposure factors including life expectancy, body weight, surface area, inhalation rates, amount of water intake, and soil ingestion targeting the Korean population. The researchers used national databases including the Life Table and the 2005 Time Use Survey from the National Statistical Office. The anthropometric study of size in Korea used the resources provided by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards. In addition, direct measurement and questionnaire surveys of representative samples were performed to calculate the inhalation rate, drinking water intake, and soil ingestion.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Surface Area ; Body Weight/physiology ; Drinking Water/standards ; *Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Inhalation/*physiology ; Life Expectancy ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Assessment ; Soil Pollutants/chemistry

OBJECTIVES: In 1995, an outbreak survey in Gozan-dong concluded that an association between fiberglass exposure in drinking water and cancer outbreak cannot be established. This study follows the subjects from a study in 1995 using a data linkage method to examine whether an association existed. The authors will address the potential benefits and methodological issues following outbreak surveys using data linkage, particularly when informed consent is absent. METHODS: This is a follow-up study of 697 (30 exposed) individuals out of the original 888 (31 exposed) participants (78.5%) from 1995 to 2007 assessing the cancer outcomes and deaths of these individuals. The National Cancer Registry (KNCR) and death certificate data were linked using the ID numbers of the participants. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) from cancers were calculated by the KNCR. RESULTS: The SIR values for all cancer or gastrointestinal cancer (GI) occurrences were the lowest in the exposed group (SIR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.10 to 5.21; 0.00 for GI), while the two control groups (control 1: external, control 2: internal) showed slight increases in their SIR values (SIR, 1.18 and 1.27 for all cancers; 1.62 and 1.46 for GI). All lacked statistical significance. All-cause mortality levels for the three groups showed the same pattern (SMR 0.37, 1.29, and 1.11). CONCLUSIONS: This study did not refute a finding of non-association with a 13-year follow-up. Considering that many outbreak surveys are associated with a small sample size and a cross-sectional design, follow-up studies that utilize data linkage should become standard procedure.
Drinking Water/chemistry ; Environmental Exposure/*adverse effects ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; *Glass ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Neoplasms/epidemiology/etiology/*mortality ; Registries ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo observe the mitochondrial fragmentation and the expression of mito-fusion 1 gene in the cortical neurons of rats with chronic fluorosis, and to reveal their roles in mitochondria damage to neurons due to chronic fluorosis.

METHODSSD rats were divided randomly into three groups of 20 each (a half females and a half males housed individually in stainless-steel cages), and fed with the different doses of fluoride containing in drinking water (untreated control containing 0 mg/L fluoride, and low-fluoride and high supplemented with 10 and 50 mg/L fluoride, respectively). After 3 or 6 months exposure, the mitochondrial morphology of the neurons in rat brains were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), then the expression of mitochondrial fusion gene, Mfn1, were detected by immunohistochemistry and western-blotting, respectively.

RESULTSDental fluorosis was obvious in the rats exposed to excessive fluoride in their drinking water, that is, (16 rats out of 20) numbers of I° detal fluorosis in the low-fluoride group, and (11 rats out of 20) numbers of I° and (9 rats out of 20) numbers of II° detal fluorosis in the high-fluoride group were observed after 3 months exposure. Moreover, (14 rats out of 20) numbers of I° and (6 rats out of 20) numbers of II° detal fluorosis in the low-fluoride group and (6 rats out of 20) numbers of Io, (13 rats out of 20) numbers of II°, and (1 rats out of 20) numbers of III° detal fluorosis in the high-fluoride group were observed after 6 months exposure. And both of untreated controls without detal fluorosis were also observed. The urinary level of fluoride in the low-fluoride group (3.30 ± 1.18) mg/L and in the high-fluoride group (5.10 ± 0.35) were observed after 3 months exposure (F = 3.18, P < 0.05). Moreover, the urinary level of fluoride in the low-fluoride group (4.16 ± 1.39) mg/L and in the high-fluoride group (5.70 ± 1.70) mg/L were also observed after 6 months exposure (F = 3.17, P < 0.05). The normal mitochondrial morphology of neurons in rats without fluorosis was observed after 3 and 6 months, while the abnormal mitochondrial morphology of neurons with fluorosis was shown, presenting mitochondrial fragmentation with swollen cristae and even the fragmented, shortened or stacked punctuate membranes (section observation of three bullous mitochondrial-mitochondrial fission process) by TEM. As compared with controls (53.0 ± 4.54 and 1.21 ± 0.18) at the experiment period of 3 months, Mif1 protein analysis with immunocytochemical (the numbers of positive cells: 51.09 ± 6.25) and western-blotting (1.22 ± 0.26) were no significant difference for low fluoride group (t = 1.7, 1.1, P > 0.05); Mif1 protein analysis with immunocytochemical (the numbers of positive cells: 59.71 ± 5.64) and western-blotting (1.66 ± 0.20) were significantly increasing for high fluoride group (t = 2.1, 2.1, P < 0.05). As compared with controls (36.43 ± 4.04 and 1.00 ± 0.13) at the experiment period of 6 months, Mif1 protein analysis with immunocytochemical (the numbers of positive cells 20.05 ± 4.55 and 17.10 ± 3.86) and western-blotting (0.64 ± 0.08 and 0.39 ± 0.06) were significantly decreasing for the two fluoride group (t = 2.1, 2.2; 2.2, 2.2 respectively, all P value were < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTaking excessive amount of fluoride might result in the mitochondrial fragmentation for the changed expression of Mfn1, and the neurons damage from the chronic fluorosis might be associated with the dysfunction of mitochondrial fusion.

Animals ; Drinking Water ; chemistry ; Female ; Fluoride Poisoning ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fluorosis, Dental ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Mitochondria ; pathology ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVEThe effects of arsenic exposure from drinking water, arsenic metabolism, and arsenic methylation on blood pressure (BP) were observed in this study.

METHODSThe BP and arsenic species of 560 participants were determined. Logistic regression analysis was applied to estimate the odds ratios of BP associated with arsenic metabolites and arsenic methylation capability.

RESULTSBP was positively associated with cumulative arsenic exposure (CAE). Subjects with abnormal diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and pulse pressure (PP) usually had higher urinary iAs (inorganic arsenic), MMA (monomethylated arsenic), DMA (dimethylated arsenic), and TAs (total arsenic) than subjects with normal DBP, SBP, and PP. The iAs%, MMA%, and DMA% differed slightly between subjects with abnormal BP and those with normal BP. The PMI and SMI were slightly higher in subjects with abnormal PP than in those with normal PP.

CONCLUSIONOur findings suggest that higher CAE may elevate BP. Males may have a higher risk of abnormal DBP, whereas females have a higher risk of abnormal SBP and PP. Higher urinary iAs may increase the risk of abnormal BP. Lower PMI may elevate the BP. However, higher SMI may increase the DBP and SBP, and lower SMI may elevate the PP.

Adult ; Arsenic ; analysis ; metabolism ; toxicity ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; China ; Drinking Water ; analysis ; chemistry ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methylation ; drug effects ; Middle Aged ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; analysis ; toxicity ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate dietary iodine intake and its potential risks among the Chinese population.

METHODSIndividual dietary iodine intake was calculated using food consumption data multiplying by iodine concentration in foods, table salt and drinking water, followed by summing, and then compared with the corresponding age-specific reference values, including Upper Intake Level (UL) and Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI).

RESULTSIn areas with water iodine concentration (WI) lower than 150 μg/L, 80.8% of residents had iodine intake between the RNI and UL, 5.8% higher than UL, and the remaining (13.4%) lower than RNI if iodized salt was consumed. However, in the uniodized salt consumption scenario, only 1.0% of residents between RNI and UL, 1.4% higher than UL, and a large part of residents (97.6%) lower than RNI. In areas with WI higher than 150 μg/L, all residents had iodine intake between RNI and UL if iodized salt was consumed, except 10.5% and 24.9% of residents higher than UL in areas with WI at 150-300 μg/L and higher than 300 μg/L respectively. However, in the uniodized salt consumption scenario, only 1.5% and 1.7% of residents had higher iodine intake than UL respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe findings suggested that in general, the dietary iodine intake by the Chinese population was appropriate and safe at the present stage. People in areas with WI lower than 150 μg/L were more likely to have iodine deficiency. While people in areas with WI higher than 150 μg/L were more likely to have excessive iodine intake if iodized salt was consumed.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Diet ; Drinking Water ; chemistry ; standards ; Female ; Goiter ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Iodine ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; deficiency ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of water fluoride exposure on reproductive hormones in female.

METHODSCross-sectional study was conducted in seven villages of a county in Henan province by using simple random sampling including high fluoride area, defluoridation project area and control area on April, 2011 based on the preliminary study results of fluoride concentration in drinking water. Women who were born and growth or lived in the village at least 5 years and aged 18-48 years old were recruited using cluster sampling. They were divided into high fluoride group (HFG, 116 subjects), defluoridation project group (DFPG, 132 subjects) and control group (CG, 227 subjects) in accordance with the above areas. All subjects accepted questionnaire and physical checkup. Fasting blood and morning urine samples were collected. The concentration of fluoride in urine was determined by fluoride ion selective electrode method. The serum level of GnRH was detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum level of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) were determined by chemiluminesence immunoassay (CLIA).

RESULTSThe average age was (39.44 ± 7.34), (38.84 ± 8.03), (37.45 ± 7.70) years old in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively, there were no significant differences among the three groups (F = 3.02, P = 0.05). The urine fluoride levels were (1.34 ± 1.07), (2.59 ± 1.57), (0.92 ± 0.46) mg/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively, there was a significant difference among three groups (F = 105.38, P < 0.01). No significant differences were observed of serum GnRH, LH, T, FSH and E2 among three groups in follicular phase (P > 0.05). The serum levels of E2 in Ovulatory period were 67.73, 58.09, 84.96 pg/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in CG (H = 4.00, P < 0.05). The serum levels of T in Ovulatory period were 0.55, 0.45, 0.55 ng/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in DFPG (H = 6.47, P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between HFG and CG (H = 2.41, P > 0.05). The serum levels of GnRH in Luteal phase were 24.09, 20.16, 23.50 ng/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in DFPG (H = 14.14, P < 0.05) and CG (H = 12.53, P < 0.05). The serum level of E2 in luteal phase were 81.47, 64.60, 74.55 pg/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in DFPG (H = 5.69, P < 0.05). As for LH, FSH and T, no significant differences were observed among the three groups (P > 0.05 respectively). The abnormal rates of E2 level were 22.73 (30/102), 37.93 (44/72), 20.26 (46/181) in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. The E2 abnormal rate in female from HFG was higher that from DFPG (χ(2) = 6.82, P < 0.05) and CG (χ(2) = 12.38, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFluoride exposure may influence reproductive hormones in female, especially in ovulatory and luteal phase of menstrual cycle.

Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drinking Water ; chemistry ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Fluorides ; adverse effects ; urine ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Menstrual Cycle ; drug effects ; Middle Aged ; Progesterone ; blood ; Testosterone ; blood