Urinary arsenic concentrations and speciation in Cornwall residents

Abstract

Inorganic arsenic and its methylated metabolites were determined in urine from adults and children in Cornwall and from corresponding control groups in Glasgow. In the mineralised south-west of England, where it has been suggested that the highly enriched soil arsenic concentrations may at least be a cofactor in the increased incidence of skin cancer, urinary arsenic levels were, in general, only slightly elevated. The potential for increased intake of inorganic arsenic in Cornwall was, however, reflected in the more frequent occurrence of trivalent inorganic arsenic and monomethylarsonic acid in urine and, of especial significance, in two comparatively highly elevated sum of arsenic species concentrations of 48.7 and 20.8 μg g⁻¹ creatinine recorded for two pre-school children. These findings are discussed with reference to recommended limits and pathways of exposure to inorganic arsenic.