Investigation on arsenic poisoning in high arsenic areas with drinking water in Jilin Province

Objective To further explore arsenic poisoning in adults drinking water with high arsenic level in Jilin Province.Methods Arsenic contents in drinking water,duration of drinking high arsenic wate,clinical symptoms were epidemically investigated.Three cities,Tongyu,Taonan and Shuangliao in the west of Jilin were found to be areas with high-arsenic drinking water,where residents older than 18 years old among 20 nature villages distributing in 8 towns were chosen to undergo investigation on arsenic poisoning.Results From 2598 subjects chosen,129 cases of endemic arsenism were found out,who clinically presented different degree of arsenical keratosis and rhagades palmaris et plantaris,accounting for 4.98%.Conclusions Due to insignificantly increased level,which just exceeded the standard,of arsenic in drinking water and a short duration of drinking water containing arsenic,endemic arsenism prevails in a slight degree in the west of Jilin Province.