Arsenic Toxicity - Essay Example

The discussion aims to answer questions based on the association between arsenic ingestion via drinking water and hepatomegaly.  As per the case, it was found that several patients with arsenic dermatosis have been detected in the village of Ramnagar.  It was also found that there is an association between arsenic ingestion via drinking and hepatomegaly (abnormal enlargement of the liver). Based on the above understanding, three questions have been answered in terms of conducting a study to underpin the association between arsenic ingestion and hepatomegaly.

Question-1: What study design would be appropriate for this research question?

The right way to approach the research question is based on the judicious selection of the study design. The researcher will use an ethnographic study as a part of the research design involving a group or community to investigate the research issue by interacting with people suffering from arsenic ingestion or lever damage. At the same time, clinical study design will be used based on trials and experiments to answer the research question. The researcher will use double-blind trials based on conducting experiments on human subjects to eliminate bias on the part of experimental subjects and experimenters. In this kind of study, neither the researcher nor individuals know whether they belong to the control group or the experiment group (Alder, 2006). This kind of study is based on no prejudices and assumptions as experiments will be conducted on the entire targeted group involving experimenters.  The researcher will also use a case-control study aimed to include individuals with specific characteristics like arsenic disorder and lever damage. This kind of experiment is usually conducted on a small group and this case will be conducted on people suffering from arsenic dermatosis and ascertaining whether there are chances of hepatomegaly by conducting appropriate tests and experiments (Friedman, et al (2010).

Question-2: What would be the major components of the study?

Major components of the study based on the clinical design would be to form ethical and safety protocols. Neither the samples nor experimenters would be having active roles in deciding the treatment pattern.  The elements of informed consent will be developed in order to protect the interest and safety of patients involved in the study. The researcher will be using ethical standards like safeguarding the interest and privacy of patients along with taking special care of patients suffering from the arsenic disorder and lever damage.  Special care will be taken to avoid coercion and falsification of ideas and imposing personal interest in order to conduct the study. The study will be based on honesty and transparency (Friedman, et al (2010)

Question-3: Discuss other sources of arsenic exposure

There can be a number of sources of arsenic exposure with groundwater topping the chart. Usually, arsenic ingestion occurs because the drinking water has high levels of arsenic affecting the health of people. At the same time, occupational exposure in the form of wood preservation, glass production, metal production, and electronic manufacturing also results in arsenic exposure (Murcott, 2012). It needs to be mentioned that even consumption of certain food can result in arsenic ingestion. Foodstuffs like cooked boiled rice and all kinds of pulses are cooked using water. By that, the level of arsenic rises, resulting in the consumption of arsenic being present in water and thus affecting the entire health in a negative way. At the same time, changes in the ecological system and bedrock can also result in an increase in the level of arsenic in the environment (Rothman, et al (2008). However, the major cause of arsenic remains in the consumption of drinking water mainly because of the environment being exposed to industries and changes in natural and anthropogenic sources and resources (Murcott, 2012).  In order to minimize the impact of arsenic which can be severely detrimental to the health of human beings, it is important to diagnose it at regular intervals along with taking precautionary measures.