Chronic Arsenic Poisoning Through Ground Water in Firozabad District: A Case Report

Two members of a family from district Firozabad Uttar Pradesh admitted in S.N. Medical College & Hospital Agra on 11/08/2010 with complaints of tingling & numbness of hands and feet, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and irregular nausea, vomiting & loose motion. On examination the skin of palm & sole was thick, hard, rough, bluish-brown in color and peeled at places showing hyperkeratosis. Both were suspected as a case of chronic arsenic poisoning. Then all the family members were called. They have more or less similar features and also the rain drop pigmentation on the skin, Aldrich Mee's line on the nails and loss of touch sensation over the hand and feet. The level of Arsenic is investigated in blood & urine and found raised. The source of arsenic was explored and found increased in drinking water that was taken out from hand pump.