Arsenicosis in India.

Consumption of the hepatotoxin arsenic is very common in certain geographical areas of India and occurs as a result of the intake of arsenic contaminated water, vegetables, adultered opium, ayurvedic and indigenous medicines, and "home made brew". Arsenic levels were estimated in livers obtained after autopsy from patients of idiopathic cirrhosis, alcoholic cirrhosis, Indian childhood cirrhosis, non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis, fulminant hepatitis and Wilson's disease. Significantly increased levels of arsenic were found in all diseased livers investigated when compared with values obtained from control groups. The study suggests that elevated levels of arsenic may be associated with liver disease.