Abstract
We evaluated total and inorganic arsenic levels in long grain rice and rice based baby foods on Finnish market. Inorganic arsenic was analysed with an HPLC–ICP-MS system. The total arsenic concentration was determined with an ICP-MS method. In this study, the inorganic arsenic levels in long grain rice varied from 0.09 to 0.28mg/kg (n=8) and the total arsenic levels from 0.11 to 0.65mg/kg. There was a good correlation between the total and inorganic arsenic levels in long grain rice at a confidence level of 95%. The total arsenic levels of rice-based baby foods were in the range 0.02 – 0.29mg/kg (n=10), however, the level of inorganic arsenic could only be quantitated in four samples, on average they were 0.11mg/kg. Our estimation of inorganic arsenic intake from long grain rice and rice-based baby food in Finland indicate that in every age group the intake is close to the lowest BMDL0.1 value 0.3μg/kg bw/day set by EFSA. According to our data, the intake of inorganic arsenic should be more extensively evaluated.
Highlights
Arsenic is a metalloid with a ubiquitous presence; it occurs in rock, soil, water, air and living organisms in inorganic and organic forms (Mandal & Suzuki, 2002; Naja & Volesky, 2009)
In this article we describe a fully validated method for the determination of total and inorganic arsenic in rice
The results from this study can be utilised in risk assessments of inorganic arsenic
Summary
Arsenic is a metalloid with a ubiquitous presence; it occurs in rock, soil, water, air and living organisms in inorganic and organic forms (Mandal & Suzuki, 2002; Naja & Volesky, 2009). Inorganic arsenic compounds are more toxic than organic ones, and the trivalent arsenic form is more toxic than its pentavalent equivalent (Hughes, 2002). Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic causes, and can evoke hypertension, skin lesions, diabetes and cardiovascular disease and it can affect the vascular system (Hughes, 2002; Jomova et al, 2011). Acute exposure to high levels of arsenic can cause cardiomyopathy, hypotension, gastrointestinal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody urine, anuria, shock, convulsions, coma and in death in the most severe cases (Hughes, 2002; Jomova et al, 2011)
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