Content of selenium, total and inorganic arsenic and bioaccessibility of arsenic in children diets of Mexico

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intake of selenium, total and inorganic arsenic and the bioaccessibility of arsenic in diets of Mexican schoolchildren using an in vitro method.

Results: Total and inorganic arsenic concentrations in the diets ranged from 0.05 to 1.15 mg kg(-1) dry weight (DW) and from 0.023 to 0.088 mg kg(-1) DW respectively, while selenium levels were between 0.08 and 0.20 mg kg(-1) DW. Daily intake of total and inorganic arsenic ranged from 0.15 to 10.49 µg day(-1) kg(-1) body weight (BW) and from 0.06 to 1.11 µg day(-1) kg(-1) BW respectively, while that of selenium varied from 0.29 to 2.63 µg day(-1) kg(-1) BW. Bioaccessibility of total and inorganic arsenic ranged from 4 to 97% (mean 44 ± 21.5%) and from 33 to 97% (mean 71 ± 22.5%) respectively.

Conclusion: Inorganic arsenic levels in the diets were low. Therefore there appears to be a low risk of adverse effects resulting from excess inorganic arsenic intake from these diets.