Prevalence of arsenic exposure and skin lesions. A population based survey in Matlab, Bangladesh.

ABSTRACT:

Study objective

To assess prevalence of arsenic exposure through drinking water and skin lesions, and their variation by geographical area, age, sex, and socioeconomic conditions.

Design, setting, and participants

Skin lesion cases were identified by screening the entire population above 4 years of age (n = 166,934) living in Matlab, a rural area in Bangladesh, during January 2002 and August 2003. The process of case identification involved initial skin examinations in the field, followed by verification by physicians in a clinic, and final confirmation by two independent experts reviewing photographs. The tubewell water arsenic concentrations (n = 13,286) were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Drinking water history since 1970 was obtained for each person. Exposur

SUBMITTER: Rahman M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2465558 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature