Chronic Arsenic Intoxication in Asia: Current Perspectives

Chronic arsenic intoxication has been an issue of public health concern in some countries in Asia, such as Taiwan, Mainland China, Bangladesh, India, and Thailand. In Taiwan, an endemic peripheral vascular disease known as ‘blackfoot disease’ (BFD) located in a confined area along the southwestern coast of Taiwan attracted the attention of the government and the scientific professionals since mid-twentieth century. The arsenic contents of the drinking water taken from the artesian well were found to be higher than the normal standard value. Epidemiologic studies confirmed the association between arsenic exposure and BFD. Besides, the residents of this area were also found to have higher prevalence rates of skin lesions (hypo/hyperpigmentation, hyperkeratosis, and skin cancers), bladder cancer, ischemic heart disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus etc. than other areas of Taiwan. In China, arsenic-related diseases have been noted since 1980s. Three routes of arsenic intoxication can be identified there. In Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang province, the