Analysis of monitoring results of drinking-water type endemic arsenism in Shanxi Province from 2012 to 2017

Objective To evaluate the effect of water improvement projects on drinking-water-borne endemic arsenism in Shanxi Province, to work out and refine sustainable prevention and control strategies. Methods The operating situation of water-improvement projects was investigated and monitored, and the arsenic content in drinking water was determined in drinking-water-borne arseniasis areas, which including 14 monitored sites in 5 countries from 2012 to 2017. The condition of arsenic poisoning in the resident population of the monitored sites was investigated and the arsenic content in the urine of patients was determined. Results Totally 14 monitored sites were already finished water improvement, the rate of water-improvement was 100%. Totally 11 water-improvement projects were monitored, including 7 small-scale water-improvement projects and 4 large-scale water-improvement projects, which all qualified and operated normally from 2012 to 2015. In 2016, one water-improvement project was found with excessive level (> 0.01 mg/L) of arsenic in drinking water in Shanyin County, and the other 10 water-improvement projects' arsenic contents were qualified. In 2017, two unqualified large-scale water-improvement projects had water arsenic content over (> 0.01 mg/L) in Shanyin County and Ying County, respectively. And the other 9 water-improvement projects were qualified. The detection rates of arsenic poisoning from 2012 to 2017 were 1.36% (104/7 641), 1.57% (123/7 832), 1.61% (123/7 621), 1.53% (120/7 857), 1.28% (102/7 963) and 1.56% (124/7 958), respectively, and the differences were not statistically significant (χ2 = 4.979 9, P > 0.05). Most patients with arsenic poisoning were mild to moderate patients, accounted for 82.61% (575/696) and no new case was detected. Conclusions Arsenic poisoning in drinking-water-borne arseniasis areas in Shanxi Province has been controlled. Natural operation of water-improvement projects has kept water arsenic levels normal. Water arsenic content has exceeded the standard in some of the water-improvement projects. The key point of next stage is strengthen the management of water improvement projects in prevention and treatment of drinking-water type endemic arsenism. Key words: Drinking; Arsenic poisoning; Data collection