1. Dose-Response Analysis of Exposure to Arsenic in Drinking Water and Risk of Skin Lesions: A Systematic Review of the Literature
- Author
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Paolo Boffetta, Carlotta Zunarelli, Claire Borron, Boffetta P., Zunarelli C., and Borron C.
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,Physiology ,chemistry.chemical_element ,skin lesions ,010501 environmental sciences ,Toxicology ,01 natural sciences ,03 medical and health sciences ,Medicine ,Arsenic ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,dose-response ,Chemical Health and Safety ,integumentary system ,business.industry ,drinking water ,lcsh:RM1-950 ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,arsenic ,Arsenic contamination of groundwater ,030104 developmental biology ,lcsh:Therapeutics. Pharmacology ,chemistry ,Original Article ,epidemiology ,business ,Skin lesion - Abstract
Background: Exposure to high arsenic concentrations in drinking water has been associated with skin lesions. Our goal was to conduct a systematic review of studies on skin lesions and arsenic exposure, with emphasis on results at low level of exposure. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies reporting estimates of either prevalence or risk of skin lesions associated with exposure to more than 2 levels of arsenic in drinking water. We reviewed and abstracted the relevant results, with the aim of conducting a dose-response meta-analysis. Results: Nine studies of skin lesions were reviewed. Strong heterogeneity in the results did not meet the criteria for performing a meta-analysis. The relative risks for an increase of 10 μg/L arsenic in drinking water ranged from 1.002 to 1.140 (p-value of heterogeneity < 0.0001). Protection from bias and confounding was inadequate in most studies. Conclusion: Current studies are inadequate to conduct meta-analysis on dose-response relationship between exposure to arsenic in drinking water and skin lesions. Studies with complete exposure histories indicate skin lesions are associated with arsenic exposure in excess of 50 µg/L or higher.
- Published
- 2020