[Research of the physicochemical properties of hair in endemic arsenism area].

The paper reports the results of research of hair in the endemic arsenism area where water with arsenic content is 0.58 mg/L in Kuitun district, Xinjiang. In the area of endemic arsenism, the content of hair arsenic with arsenism patients is higher than that of subjects without arsenism. Hair arsenic content among residents was also higher than those of control areas. The stretch and relative strength of hair of subjects living in the area of endemic arsenism were lower than those of the areas of control. The ultrastructure of hair surface has obvious pathologic changes by scanning electron microscope examination. By using a hygienic standard (the arsenic content of water being 0.03 mg/L) to improve the drinking water for two years, the content of hair arsenic has reduced, approaching 95% upper confidence limit for normal hair (1.5 micrograms/g). The stretch and relative strength of hair have distinctly increased. The ultrastructure of hair surface has returned to near normal. The results of our investigation show that we should pay attention to the latent harm to residents in the high-arsenic-content area. The authors consider that hair arsenic content, stretch and relative strength of hair are sensitive and objective indexes to monitor the effects of improving water quality in area of endemic arsenism.