An Analysis of Arsenic Content in BYU-Hawaii Students Christopher Tiu June 12, 2002 Bio 493

Arsenic Research Introduction Arsenic is a metal that is toxic to human (Yamamura 1996). Arsenic is distributed unevenly on the earth. (Ishinishi et al 1986)

Arsenic Research Introduction Elevated arsenic levels in drinking water have been reported worldwide, with the highest concentration reported from Bangladesh, India and China (Woolson 1975)

Arsenic Research Introduction People are being exposed to Arsenic by drinking contaminated underground water, to exposure air, food washed by contaminated water(Yamamura 1996).

Arsenic Research Introduction The World Health Organization proposed drinking water standard that limited arsenic concentration to less than 0.05mg/L

Arsenic Research Introduction Humans can eliminate Arsenic by renal filtration and extraction through skin, nails and hair. (Hindmarsh and McCurdy 1986)

Arsenic Research Introduction A healthy, normal human can swiftly eliminate Arsenic through but it takes much longer for it to filter out through hair and nails. (Hindmarsh & McCurdy 1986)

Arsenic Research Introduction An analysis of human hair may give insights into the history of exposure to arsenic.

Purpose

Arsenic Research Purpose The purpose of this research was to assay Brigham Young University-Hawaii students from the US and foreign countries for the presence of systemic arsenic and to determine if a relationship exists between arsenic level and drinking water standards.

Method

Arsenic research method Hair samples were collected from new and returning BYU-Hawaii students.

Arsenic research method A total of 92 students participated in this research, 59 females and 33 males. These students were from 20 different countries (Chart 1).

Arsenic research method Participants were be asked a series of questions Country of origin Arrival date to Hawaii Length of Hair Source of drinking water

Arsenic research method Samples were digested with conc. nitric acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide

Arsenic research method The digested samples were analyzed for arsenic by an ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid, EDTA titration method (Harris 1998).

Results

Results Arsenic was found in 33 of 92 samples analyzed. The arsenic concentration ranged from 0.001mg/L to 0.034mg/L (Fig. 1)

Fig. 1 Arsenic concentrations on all samples

Results students from India, Canada and China had the highest average arsenic levels. The India sample had 0.034mg/L of arsenic, which was the highest of all the samples analyzed.

Fig. 2 Arsenic concentrations by country

Results 25 US students participated in this research Students represented 7 different states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Hawaii, Kansas, Oregon and Utah and the District of Columbia Arsenic was found in students from four of the eight states. Arsenic values ranged from an average of 0.001mg/L to 0.007mg/L (Fig.4)

Fig. 3 Arsenic concentration of US students

Results The result indicated those students who drank underground water or well water had higher arsenic levels than students who drank water from other sources (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5 The average arsenic amount concentration in different water sources in this study.

Discussion

Discussion Based on this study, arsenic was found in 33 BYU-Hawaii students (Fig. 1). It was found that students from India and China had the highest level of arsenic. Canadian students were also high in arsenic (aver. 0.011mg/L)

Discussion India has no specific standard. Woolson (1975) reported high arsenic values for the Indian population. Indian government should establish arsenic drinking water standards.

Discussion That means 0.05mg/L of arsenic in drinking water would give 1 in 340 people cancer. The WHO standards may not high enough to protect people.

Discussion For the United States, the current arsenic standard of 50 ppb (0.05 mg/L) was set by Environmental Protection Agency in 1975, based on a Public Health Service standard originally established in 1942

Discussion All 25 US students had lower than 10 parts per billion (0.001mg/L) of arsenic levels. However, 6 of 25 students had arsenic level of equal to or more than 3 parts per billion (0.003 mg/L) of arsenic (Fig.3).

Discussion The new amendment would reduce toxicity of US population, including students at BYU-Hawaii.

Discussion According to this study, the highest chance of arsenic contamination is by drinking underground water or well water (Fig.6).

Fig. 5 The average arsenic amount concentration in different water sources in this study.

Discussion Human hair can accumulate arsenic over long periods of time (Woolson 1975). Thus, even with lower concentration of arsenic in water, arsenic can accumulate in body tissue. This bioaccumulation of arsenic can become toxic.

Acknowledge Dr. Randy Day Dr. Hammond Dept. of Science David Paz My family

QUESTIONS?

Countries whose standard is 0.01 mg/L Standard Countries Countries whose standard is lower than 0.01 mg/L Australia (0.007 mg/L, 1996) Countries whose standard is 0.01 mg/L European Union (1998), Japan (1993), Jordan (1991), Laos (1999), Laos, Mongolia (1998), Namibia, Syria(1994) 0.05 mg/l but higher than 0.01 mg/l Canada (1999) 0.025 mg/l Countries considering to lower the standard from 0.05 mg/L United States (1986*) , Mexico(1994) Countries whose standard is 0.05 mg/l Bahrain, Bangladesh (unknown), Bolivia (1997), China (unknown), Egypt(1995), India (unknown), Indonesia (1990), Oman, Philippines (1978), Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka (1983), Viet Nam(1989), Zimbabwe