Study says, Arsenic in water of Assam, Gallbladder cancer risk rises

GUWAHATI: Chronic exposure to arsenic in drinking water, even at low moderate levels, can lead to gallbladder cancer in a joint study conducted by Dr. Bhubaneswar Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati in collaboration with some leading institutions. has been found to be a potential risk factor for the development of cancer (GBC) in arsenic-affected areas of India.

The research was conducted by BBCI, Guwahati in collaboration with Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Center for Chronic Disease Control, New Delhi between 2019-2021. Mahavir Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Patna; and by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
The two-year study was conducted in large tertiary care hospitals that care for patients in different parts of Assam and Bihar, where both gallbladder cancer and arsenic contamination in drinking water are major public health problems.

It examined the association between arsenic levels in groundwater and risk of gallbladder cancer (GBC) in a case-control study of long-term residents (≥10 years) in two states.
Further, it calculated the arsenic exposure of the study participants (men and women aged 30 to 69 years) based on their residential history since childhood and the corresponding mean groundwater arsenic concentration at the district level. Estimated.

Long-term residential history, lifestyle factors, family history, socio-demographics and physical measurements were collected.

The research findings are published in the official journal of the American Association of Cancer Research – Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention.
According to the results, those living in areas with groundwater arsenic concentrations of less than one microgram per liter were twice as likely to develop gallbladder cancer in groundwater concentrations of one to eight micrograms per liter increases, and arsenic levels are high. (over nine micrograms per liter) showed a 2.4-fold increased risk.

It may be noted that in 2017-2018, monitoring of drinking water samples of ground water collected from tube wells for arsenic and other contaminants was initiated by Ministry of Jal Shakti.
According to PhFI’s Center for Environmental Health and the study’s lead scientist, Dr. Karthiga Sridhar, the findings highlight a potentially modifiable risk factor for gallbladder cancer.

“The study can address the Jal Jeevan Mission-2024, which is fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals for equitable, clean and safe drinking water,” said Dr. Shridhar.
Dr Manigreeva Krishnatreya, Medical Officer, BBCI, Guwahati and co-investigator of the study said that long-term exposure to low levels of arsenic in drinking water can lead to skin discoloration, high blood pressure, heart disease, neurological conditions such as Problems may arise. Like apathy etc
“Now that arsenic has been established as a potential risk factor for gallbladder cancer, it is imperative that public health interventions to remove arsenic from drinking water are the need of the hour in endemic areas of Assam and Bihar. Dr Krishnatreya said.

“Filtration of arsenic and other heavy metals from drinking water has inherent health benefits and can prevent cancer,” added Dr. Krishnatreya.
Former BBCI Director Dr Amal Chandra Kataki also participated in the study as one of the co-investigators.
“Risk factors for GBC, a rare digestive tract cancer, are, however, not fully understood even though data from arsenic-affected areas of India, with a high incidence of GBC, are unique. can offer insights. Addressing ‘arsenic pollution’ could help reduce the burden of several health outcomes,” states the research summary.

In particular, evidence linking arsenic in drinking water to gastrointestinal cancer is limited.