The neurotoxic effect of high aluminum levels in drinking water in Kirazli area (Canakkale, Turkey)

Aluminum(Al) concentration was measured in water in the different part of Biga Peninsula where is located in the western part of Turkey.The concentration of Al in water is ranged from 13 to15 ppm in this Peninsula.These values exceed the normal drinking water standard (normal value 0.2 ppm).The aim of this study was to investigate the neurotoxin effects on human health of this high Al level.
For this study, Kirazli, Ciplak and Halileli villages were selected.Total 273 people who are over 18 years old and live in villages were chosen for this study.The survey form containing questions on descriptive characteristics and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was administered by Medical and Engineering Faculty members with the face-to-face interview technique. A neurological examination was performed by the Neurology specialist at the second stage.A 10 ml venous blood sample was obtained at the third stage to evaluate the serum Al, vitamin B12, folic acid and TSH parameters(third generation).SPSS 11.0 statistical software was used for evaluation data. The result shows that all villagers use the village's municipality water for drinking.
Of those investigated, the Mini Mental State Examination(MMSE) score was 22 or less in 31.9% and there was no statistically significant difference between the two regions(p>0.05). There was a significantly higher incidence of neuropathy in the history in the Kirazli region compared to the Ciplak and Halileli region (40.3% and 26.2% respectively)(p<0.05).There was no significant difference on neurological examination(p>0.05).There was no statistically significant difference between serum Al levels in the two regions(p>0.05).This study was a sectional field study.Follow-up studies that also include advanced neurophysiology laboratory investigations(such as ENMG and cognitive potentials) to determine the neurotoxic effects of drinking water with high Al content in the Kirazli region should be planned, due to the limitations of sectional studies on delineating cause-and-effect relationships.