Prevalence of disability in an arsenic exposure area in Inner Mongolia, China

Long term exposure to arsenic can cause adverse health effects and lead to different levels of disability. The prevalence of arsenical dermatosis is as high as 40% in the Hetao Plain area of Inner Mongolia, but the association between exposure to arsenic in drinking water and the occurrence of disability has not yet been fully examined. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of disability in arsenic-affected villages in Inner Mongolia, China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to examine the prevalence of disability. A total of 320 villagers in the age range of 20-39 years were interviewed and examined for disability and arsenical skin lesions. The subjects were classified into a high arsenic group (>= 50 mu g L-1) and a low arsenic group (<50 mu g L-1). The relationship between levels of arsenic in drinking water and disability was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The prevalence of disability was 6.88% in the arsenic affected area of Inner Mongolia and 24.72% in the arsenic group >= 50 mu g L-1. A strong correlation was found between disability and arsenical skin lesions (OR = 86.39, 95%CI: 25.45-293.20). Conclusion: This suggests that the level of arsenic exposure is a major risk factor for disability. Further research is needed to place the results in a wider context and to determine the exact relationship between arsenic exposure and disability. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.