Evaluation of health risk and arsenic levels in vegetables sold in markets of Dhaka (Bangladesh) and Salamanca (Spain) by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy.

The main objective of this study was to determine arsenic (As) levels in vegetables collected from the markets of Dhaka, Bangladesh and for comparison from Salamanca, Spain by HGAAS under optimal conditions, and the potential health risk from consumption of these vegetables. The mean and range of the total As concentration in the vegetables from the markets of Dhaka, Bangladesh were 114 and 1.0-293 μg/kg, respectively. Total As concentration in 77% of Bangladesh vegetables measured was higher than that recommended by the standard. The mean and range of As concentrations for vegetables grown in Spain were 65 and bdl-130 μg/kg, respectively, for Salamanca, 102 and bdl-423 μg/kg, respectively, for Almeria. The As content of the Bangladesh vegetables was approximately twofold to threefold higher than those observed for the vegetables from Almeria and Salamanca (Spain), but in some cases, were similar or less. Daily consumption of As-rich vegetables may result in an additional source of As in the diet, based on the provisional tolerable intake of As for adults recommended by WHO.