Sara Farag1, Riva Das, William H J Strosnider, Robin Taylor Wilson. 1. From the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Services (Drs Farag, Das, and Wilson), and Department of Public Health Sciences, Epidemiology Division (Dr Wilson), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey; Department of General Surgery (Dr Strosnider), Abington Memorial Hospital; and Center for Watershed Research & Service (Dr Strosnider), Environmental Engineering Program, Saint Francis University, Loretto, Pa.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the health effects of living downstream from mines in the Potosí region of Bolivia. METHODS: Histories, physical examinations, and urinalyses were completed on adults recruited from mining and nonmining villages in Bolivia. Blood concentrations of Cd, Hg, and Pb were determined in a subset of participants. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Mining region participants had significantly higher frequencies of hypertension, hematuria, and ketonuria. Hematuria was significantly elevated among those watering livestock downstream from mines and eating grains from their own farm (odds ratio = 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 17.7). Significantly higher blood concentrations of Pb were observed in a subsample of participants with hematuria (4.80 μg/dL vs 10.91 μg/dL; P = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to abate environmental exposure to toxic metals seem warranted.
OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the health effects of living downstream from mines in the Potosí region of Bolivia. METHODS: Histories, physical examinations, and urinalyses were completed on adults recruited from mining and nonmining villages in Bolivia. Blood concentrations of Cd, Hg, and Pb were determined in a subset of participants. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Mining region participants had significantly higher frequencies of hypertension, hematuria, and ketonuria. Hematuria was significantly elevated among those watering livestock downstream from mines and eating grains from their own farm (odds ratio = 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 17.7). Significantly higher blood concentrations of Pb were observed in a subsample of participants with hematuria (4.80 μg/dL vs 10.91 μg/dL; P = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to abate environmental exposure to toxic metals seem warranted.
Authors: Alan E Garrido; William H J Strosnider; Robin Taylor Wilson; Janette Condori; Robert W Nairn Journal: Environ Geochem Health Date: 2017-03-23 Impact factor: 4.609