Prevalence of Chronic Diseases in Adults Exposed to Arsenic-Contaminated Drinking Water.

CHRONIC diseases; ARSENIC content of drinking water; CONTAMINATION of drinking water; GROUNDWATER

Inorganic arsenic is naturally occurring in groundwaters throughout the United States. This study investigated arsenic exposure and self-report of 9 chronic diseases. We received private well-water samples and questionnaires from 1185 people who reported drinking their water for 20 or more years. Respondents with arsenic levels of 2 µg/L or greater were statistically more likely to report a history of depression, high blood pressure, circulatory problems, and bypass surgery than were respondents with arsenic concentrations less than 2 µg/L. (Am J Public Health. 2004;94:1936-1937). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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