Urinary Biomonitoring for Detection of As and Cd Exposure in Adult Population - A Cross Sectional Study from Selected Area of West Bengal, India

Author(s): AnupaYadav, Aniruddha Mukhopadhayay, Amit Chakrabarti, AsimSaha and Pritha Bhattacharjee.

Introduction: Monitoring of human exposure to environmental pollutants can be achieved by assessment of biological samples such as urine. Arsenic (As) and Cadmium (Cd) both metals are environmentally toxic in nature. Biomonitoring of these heavy metals in non-endemic areas of West Bengal is not well documented, at international level many human biomonitoring surveys have been well established.

Aim: To assess urinary arsenic (U-iAs) and urinary cadmium (U-Cd) among the adult population of West Bengal. And also endeavor to identify sociodemographic and lifestyle factors affecting exposure to environmental As and Cd.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in 258 adults. The data was collected through a structured questionnaire. U-iAs and U-Cd was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS).

Results: This study found predominantly low to moderate levels of U-iAs 4.55-40.95μg/L and U-Cd 0.01-1.7μg/L. About 5% individuals had U-iAs>27μg/L (reference value) and 7.4% individuals had U-Cd above human biomonitoring value (1μg/L). Urban residents had about 1.58-fold higher U-iAs than rural. Urban individuals, females involved in cooking and smoker traveler males had significantly (p<0.05 for each category) higher U-iAs and U-Cd than their counterparts.

Discussion: Cooking practice in females, smoking and travelling in males were reported as potential contributors to As and Cd exposure. Conclusion: This study provided data on U-iAs and U-Cd levels in study population that will help them to beware of toxic metals exposure and will be useful for policymakers in decision-making on interventions, enabling appropriate risk reduction strategies.