[Arsenic exposure of residents in areas near Shimen arsenic mine]

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the levels of arsenic exposure of residents in the arsenic polluted areas near an arsenic mine.

Methods: To analyse the arsenic levels in environmental samples and hair in the polluted areas and a control area.

Results: In three villages of the polluted areas, arsenic levels in soil were 84.17 to 296.19 mg/kg, in river water 0.5 to 14.5 mg/L, in well water and tap water lower than 0.05 mg/L, in rice 0.196 to 0.620 mg/kg. Arsenic intake amounted 195 to 1129 micrograms/day. In the hair, the arsenic contents were from 0.972 to 2.459 micrograms/g, increasing with aging.

Conclusion: In the areas near Shimen arsenic mine, arsenic pollution was serious. The levels of arsenic exposure of residents were equal to or even over that of the severe cases of chronic arsenic poisoning reported domestically and abroad.