Epidemiology Investigation of Drinking Water-Borne Endemic Arsenism in Ruijin,Jiangxi

Objective To know the distribution of the high arsenic areas and endemic arsenism in Ruijin,Jiangxi.Methods Wells with sample size of 2 027 were chosen from ten villages in eight countries in high arsenic areas from August 2006 to July 2007,the arsenic content of water and endemic arsenism were investigated.Results The arsenic content of 147 water samples from 2 027 water samples exceeded standard limit,accounted for 7.25%,and the arsenic contents of 35 water samples were over 0.05 mg/L.The maximum levels of arsenic content of two high arsenic villages were 0.250 and 0.134 mg/L,and 1 082 people exposed to high arsenic via drinking water,accounted for 4.65% of all 23 287 local investigated people,among high arsenic exposure people,314 were children,accounted for 3.75%(314/8 381).Conclusion There still are some high-arsenic water sources in Ruijin,Jiangxi and it will be harmful for the health of local people.