Arsenic uptake by plant foods for human nutrition: current status and new perspectives

Arsenic (As), is a metalloid that can accumulate in water, plants and seafood to high levels. Depends on the chemical form it can pose a risk to human health. Inorganic arsenic (Asi) is considered a non-threshold carcinogen, and every exposure constitutes a risk. Monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) can be related with inorganic exposure and arsenobetaine (AsB) and arsenocholine (AsCh) are organic species with nontoxic effects associated. Speciation data is crucial to clarify the linkage between arsenic content and chronic diseases. A comprehensive dietary exposure assessment is required in particularly to infants and pregnant women. Fetal exposure to inorganic arsenic seems correlated with an increased risk of adverse health effects later in life. Recent advances in analytical procedures and the metrological principles applied for the identification of arsenic chemical species are discussed. HPLC-ICP-MS as the golden standard technique providing data to support a comprehensive dietary exposure assessment and to redefine risk assessment of (Asi), is presented. The contribution of Total Diet Studies as a harmonised methodology for food sampling and exposure assessment modelling to ensure comparability and consistency of arsenic data across countries is another aim of this presentation. Information about mitigation strategies to reduce exposure to arsenic is also highlighted.Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o apoio da FCT.N/