Urinary porphyrins as biomarkers for arsenic exposure among susceptible populations in Guizhou Province, China

Journal Article · Sun Aug 07 04:00:00 EDT 2005 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2004.09.021· OSTI ID:20647585

Ng, J C; Wang, J P; Zheng, B S; Zhai, C; Maddalena, R; Liu, F; Moore, M R ^[1]

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1. University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld. (Australia). Faculty of Health Science

Coal from some areas in Guizhou Province contains elevated levels of arsenic. This has caused arsenicosis in individuals who use arsenic-contaminated coal for the purposes of heating, cooking and drying of food in poorly ventilated dwellings. The population at risk has been estimated to be approximately 200,000 people. We analyzed the porphyrin excretion profile using a HPLC method in urine samples collected from 113 villagers who lived in Xing Ren district, a coal-borne arsenicosis endemic area and from 30 villagers from Xing Yi where arsenicosis is not prevalent. Urinary porphyrins were higher in the arsenic exposed group than those in the control group. The correlation between urinary arsenic and porphyrin concentrations demonstrated the effect of arsenic on heme biosynthesis resulting in increased porphyrin excretion. Both uroporphyrin and coproporphyrin III showed significant increases in the excretion profile of the younger age ({lt} 20 years) arsenic-exposed group, suggesting that porphyrins could be used as early warning biomarkers of chronic arsenic exposure in humans. Greater increases of urinary arsenic and porphyrins in women, children and older age groups who spend much of their time indoors suggest that they might be at a higher risk. Whether elevated porphyrins could predict adverse health effects associated with both cancer and non-cancer end-points in chronically arsenic-exposed populations need further investigation.

• OSTI ID: 20647585
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Journal Name: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 206; ISSN TXAPA9; ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
ARSENIC
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
CHINA
COAL
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
PORPHYRINS
URINE