Health risk assessment of dermal exposure and urinary biomarker related to arsenic-contaminated tap water in abandoned tin mine communities, Thailand
摘要
Arsenic is a strongly toxic element with widespread environmental presence, posing significant health risks especially from water contamination. This study aimed to investigate the As concentrations in tap water, assess the cancer and non-cancer risks related to bathing dermal exposure, and examine the As-urine including the associated factors. This study found tap water samples from abandoned tin mine residences exceeded Thailand’s Department of Health standard (10 µg/L), with levels up to 12 times higher in the dry season and 53 times higher in the wet season. The average of As in tap water from abandoned tin mine residences was 119.30 ± 3.71 µg/L (range: 113.98–127.72 µg/L). In contrast, all samples from non-mining areas showed undetectable levels (< 0.60 µg/L). For As-urine, the abandoned tin mine residents found 127.86 ± 46.51 µg/L in dry season, and 103.88 ± 82.78 µg/L during wet season. The Mann–Whitney U-test found As-urine of abandoned tin mine area residents were significantly higher than non-mining area residents in both seasons. Over 70% of abandoned tin mine area participants found As-urine exceeded the normal level. Cancer risk assessments showed 13.29 × 10–6 and 56.18 × 10–6 in dry and wet seasons respectively. Furthermore, the binary logistic regression found using tap water in abandoned tin mine residences for brushing teeth, for rice cooking, and for bathing were associated factors with As-urine. Public health measures, such as community education also health promotion on the health impact of As-contaminated water, are crucial for mitigating exposure and associated health risks.