The role of drinking water sources, consumption of vegetables and seafood in relation to blood arsenic concentrations of Jamaican children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorders.

TitleThe role of drinking water sources, consumption of vegetables and seafood in relation to blood arsenic concentrations of Jamaican children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsRahbar, MH, Samms-Vaughan, M, Ardjomand-Hessabi, M, Loveland, KA, Dickerson, AS, Chen, Z, Bressler, J, Shakespeare-Pellington, S, Grove, ML, Bloom, K, Wirth, J, Pearson, DA, Boerwinkle, E
JournalSci Total Environ
Volume433
Pagination362-70
Date Published2012 Sep 01
ISSN1879-1026
KeywordsArsenic, Case-Control Studies, Child, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Drinking Water, Humans, Jamaica, Seafood, Vegetables
Abstract

Arsenic is a toxic metal with harmful effects on human health, particularly on cognitive function. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are lifelong neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders manifesting in infancy or early childhood. We used data from 130 children between 2 and 8 years (65 pairs of ASD cases with age- and sex-matched control), to compare the mean total blood arsenic concentrations in children with and without ASDs in Kingston, Jamaica. Based on univariable analysis, we observed a significant difference between ASD cases and controls (4.03 μg/L for cases vs. 4.48 μg/L for controls, P<0.01). In the final multivariable General Linear Model (GLM), after controlling for car ownership, maternal age, parental education levels, source of drinking water, consumption of "yam, sweet potato, or dasheen", "carrot or pumpkin", "callaloo, broccoli, or pak choi", cabbage, avocado, and the frequency of seafood consumption per week, we did not find a significant association between blood arsenic concentrations and ASD status (4.36 μg/L for cases vs. 4.65 μg/L for controls, P=0.23). Likewise, in a separate final multivariable GLM, we found that source of drinking water, eating avocado, and eating "callaloo, broccoli, or pak choi" was significantly associated with higher blood arsenic concentrations (all three P<0.05). Based on our findings, we recommend assessment of arsenic levels in water, fruits, and vegetables, as well as increased awareness among the Jamaican population regarding potential risks for various exposures to arsenic.

DOI10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.06.085
Alternate JournalSci Total Environ
PubMed ID22819887
PubMed Central IDPMC3418487
Grant ListR01 ES022165 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
R21 HD057808 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
UL1 RR024148 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
R21HD057808 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
UL1 TR000371 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States

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