The impact of chronic arsenic exposure on growth impairment and stunting among toddlers living in geothermal areas

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ie Seuum, a hydrothermal system, is in Aceh Besar Regency and is within the outflow zone of Mount Seulawah Agam. The ۲۰۰۴ tsunami resulted in seawater intrusion, resulting in increased salinity and ions and metals, such as arsenic, in the water. Geological activity in the area also results in the release of arsenic from rocks into surface waters. The area is used for residential, agricultural, animal husbandry, and ecotourism activities. The objectives of this study were to measure the level of arsenic in the waters and assess the relationship between arsenic exposure and stunting in toddlers in Mesjid Raya District, Aceh Besar Regency.METHODS: This study employed an analytical observational cross-sectional design to assess environmental arsenic exposure and its association with stunting in toddlers. Arsenic concentrations were measured in drinking water, domestic water, and toddler hair samples. Anthropometric indicators included weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height. Arsenic was quantified using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were performed.FINDINGS: Arsenic concentrations exceeded the quality standard in ۸۴.۳۱ percent of water samples. Arsenic was detected in ۹۶.۰۸ percent of toddler hair simples. Water arsenic concentrations showed a moderate correlation with hair arsenic levels (Spearman = ۰.۴۷, probability < ۰.۰۰۱), indicating the transfer of environmental exposure into biological accumulation. Hair arsenic levels correlated moderately with ordinal height-for-age status (Spearman = ۰.۵۹), whereas water arsenic concentrations showed no significant association with height-for-age (Spearman = ۰.۱۶, probability = ۰.۲۵). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that each one microgram per gram increase in hair arsenic increased the odds of stunting by ۱۵.۷ percent (odd ratio = ۱.۱۵۷, ۹۵ percent confidence interval = ۱.۰۶–۱.۲۶, probability < ۰.۰۰۱), supported by significantly higher hair arsenic levels in stunted compared with non-stunted children (Mann–Whitney U test, Z-statistic = ۴.۰۷, probability < ۰.۰۰۱).CONCLUSION: Arsenic exposure is widespread in the Ie Seuum geothermal area and poses a serious risk to the growth and development of children. Arsenic detected in toddler hair is moderately correlated with stunting.

کلیدواژه ها:

Arsenic effect ، child growth ، stunting ، Water contaminant