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Biomarkers of arsenic exposure and effects in a Canadian rural population exposed through groundwater consumption

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 24, pages 127–134 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Drinking water intake of arsenic (As) from private wells may represent a significant exposure pathway and induce oxidative DNA damage. We measured total As concentrations in hair and nails, and concentrations of the different species of As and its metabolites as well as 8-OHdG in urine of 110 non-smoking adults living in a rural region of the Province of Quebec, Canada. Significant differences in exposure biomarker levels were observed between individuals consuming drinking water with As levels of≤1.0,>1.0 –≤10 and>10 μg/l. Multivariate linear regression analysis also showed a significant relationship between estimated daily drinking water intakes of As and biomarker levels. Conversely, 8-OHdG levels were not significantly related to daily drinking water intakes of As or to hair, nail or urinary exposure biomarker levels, according to multivariate linear regression analysis. Even at the relatively low levels of As found in well water of our participants, water consumption significantly increases their body load of As, as confirmed by multiple matrix measurements, which reflected exposure over different time frames. However, this increased internal As dose was not associated with higher oxidative damage to DNA as reflected by urinary 8-OHdG levels.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec, the Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Chaudière-Appalaches, the Réseau de recherche en santé environnementale (FRQ-S), the Canadian Water Network and by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec. The authors wish to thank those who have contributed to the completion of this study, especially Lise Gareau and Jean Saint-Pierre from the University of Montreal and Nathalie Ouellet from the Institut national de santé publique du Québec.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Louise Normandin

  2. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Chair of Toxicological Risk Assessment and Management and Institut de recherche en santé publique, University of Montreal, Main Station, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Louise Normandin, Yves Ibanez & Michèle Bouchard

  3. Axe Santé publique et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU Québec/INSPQ, Wolfe, Quebec, Canada

    Pierre Ayotte, Patrick Levallois & Marilène Courteau

  4. Department of Engineering Physics, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    Greg Kennedy

  5. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Lydia Chen & X Chris Le

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  1. Louise Normandin
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Correspondence to Michèle Bouchard.

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Normandin, L., Ayotte, P., Levallois, P. et al. Biomarkers of arsenic exposure and effects in a Canadian rural population exposed through groundwater consumption. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 24, 127–134 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2013.80

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2013.80

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