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Effect of Arsenic on the Onset of Menarcheal Age

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Abstract

Ground water arsenic contamination is a major problem in the Bengal Delta plain. The present study investigates the effect of arsenic exposure on age at menarche in North 24-Parganas district, one of the worst affected districts. A higher mean menarcheal age of 12.50 years is reported from women residing in four arsenic affected villages in as compared to a control village (11.71 years). The differences in menarcheal age between three of the four affected villages and the control village are statistically significant (p < 0.05). The study indicates that arsenic exposure can have a negative effect on menarcheal age.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the cooperation of “Save The Environment, Calcutta”. The University Grants Commission, Govt. of India has supported the study financially (Grant No: F.PSW-022/03-04 dated 12.03.2004).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, University of North Bengal, P.O.: NBU, Raja Rammohunpur, 734 013, Dist. Darjeeling, West Bengal, India

    Jaydip Sen

  2. Department of Anthropology, University of Calcutta, 35 B.C. Road, 700 019, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

    A. B. D. Chaudhuri

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Correspondence to Jaydip Sen.

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Sen, J., Chaudhuri, A.B.D. Effect of Arsenic on the Onset of Menarcheal Age. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 79, 293–296 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-007-9206-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-007-9206-7

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