Bioaccessibility and speciation of arsenic in children’s diets and health risk assessment of an endemic area in Bangladesh

Abstract This study determines the bioaccessibility of toxic and carcinogenic arsenic (As) in composite food samples and evaluates potential exposure from food intake in Bangladesh children. Total As (tAs), inorganic As (iAs) and bioaccessible As (BAs) in food composite samples consumed by children were compared between an exposed and a control group (based on As in drinking water). Total As concentrations in composite food samples of children exposed to mean As level of 331 µg/l in drinking and cooking water ranged from 586 to 1975 µg/kg, dry weight over 76 to 90 µg/kg in the unexposed group. Average iAs in food composites was 73.9% (range: 49.3 to 90.8%). The fraction of BAs using gastric and gastrointestinal phases was 91±13% and 98±11%, respectively. Daily intake of iAs in exposed group ranged from 0.41 to 6.38 µg per kg body weight (BW), which was much higher than the unexposed group (0.08-0.15 µg per kg BW). High iAs content and BAs in composite food samples indicated elevated risk to exposed children. Further research should include both adult and children using larger sample size to determine overall As exposure from food intake in Bangladesh, attention must be given to lowering of As in food.