Arsenic accumulation in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and broad bean (Vicia faba L.) crops and its potential risk for human consumption.

Exposure to arsenic (As) is considered one of the primary health risks humans face worldwide. This study was conducted to determine As absorption by broad beans and lettuce crops grown in soil with As contents and irrigated with water contaminated with this toxic element, in Pastos Chicos, Jujuy (Argentina). Total dry biomass (TDB) and total As were determined in soils, roots, leaves, pods and seeds. These data were used to determine several parameters, such as translocation (TF) and bioconcentration (BCF) factors, target hazard quotient (THQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR). Broad bean plants had the lowest biomass production when exposed to As in irrigation water and soil. Lettuce plants presented TDB reductions of 33.3 and 42.8% when grown in soil polluted with As, and in control soil under irrigation with contaminated water, respectively. The presence of this toxicant in broad bean seeds and lettuce leaves (edible parts) exceeded the limits established by Código Alimentario Argentino, i.e. 0.10 and 0.30 mg/kg, respectively. THQ values for lettuce leaves were higher than 1, the same as those for broad bean seeds when grown in soil with As contents and irrigated with arsenic-contaminated water, thus suggesting that consumers would run significant risks when consuming these vegetables. Furthermore, this type of exposure to As implied a CR that exceeded the acceptable 1 × 10-4 risk level. Hence, we may conclude that consuming lettuce and broad beans grown at the evaluated site brings about considerable health risks for local residents.

Absorption of arsenic from soil and water by two chard (Beta vulgaris L.) varieties: A potential risk to human health.

The accumulation of arsenic (As) in vegetables poses a risk of contamination to humans via the food chain. Two chard (var. cicla and var. d'ampuis) crops were grown for 60 days in greenhouses on Aridisol soil, and irrigated with water from Pastos Chicos, Jujuy (Argentina). The soil and water used in the trial presented 49 and 1.44 mg/L As concentration levels, respectively. Total dry biomass (TDB) and total As were determined in soils, roots and leaves. The latter was quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry with hydride generation, and bioconcentration and translocation factors were determined. TDB in var. cicla showed statistically significant differences when the plant was cultivated in control soil and watered with the toxicant (2.04 g), as compared with the treatment without exposure (2.8 g). TDB in var. d'ampuis presented statistically significant differences with respect to that of the control when the plants were grown in soils with As and watered with the toxicant (3.3 g). This variety increased its biomass in the presence of As. In the two Swiss chard varieties evaluated, the largest As accumulation in root and leaves was found when they were cultivated in contaminated soil and watered with distilled water. The presence of the toxicant in the leaves exceeded the limits established by Código Alimentario Argentino, i.e. 0.30 mg/kg. Total target hazard quotient (THQ) values for As were higher than 1, suggesting that consumers would run significant risks when consuming these chard varieties. Furthermore, it was determined that the carcinogenic risk (CR) posed by this type of exposure to As exceeded the acceptable risk level of 1 × 10-6. Based on this evidence, we may conclude that consuming chard cultivated on the evaluated site brings about considerable risks to local residents' health.

Human health risk assessment with spatial analysis: study of a population chronically exposed to arsenic through drinking water from Argentina.

Arsenic (As) is a ubiquitous element widely distributed in the environment. This metalloid has proven carcinogenic action in man. The aim of this work was to assess the health risk related to As exposure through drinking water in an Argentinean population, applying spatial analytical techniques in addition to conventional approaches. The study involved 650 inhabitants from Chaco and Santiago del Estero provinces. Arsenic in drinking water (Asw) and urine (UAs) was measured by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Average daily dose (ADD), hazard quotient (HQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR) were estimated, geo-referenced and integrated with demographical data by a health composite index (HI) applying geographic information system (GIS) analysis. Asw covered a wide range of concentration: from non-detectable (ND) to 2000 µg/L. More than 90% of the population was exposed to As, with UAs levels above the intervention level of 100 µg/g creatinine. GIS analysis described an expected level of exposure lower than the observed, indicating possible additional source/s of exposure to inorganic arsenic. In 68% of the locations, the population had a HQ greater than 1, and the CR ranged between 5·10(-5) and 2,1·10(-2). An environmental exposure area through ADD geo-referencing defined a baseline scenario for space-time risk assessment. The time of residence, the demographic density and the potential health considered outcomes helped characterize the health risk in the region. The geospatial analysis contributed to delimitate and analyze the change tendencies of risk in the region, broadening the scopes of the results for a decision-making process.

Plaguicidas organoclorados en leche cruda comercializada en Jujuy (Argentina) / Organochlorine pesticides in commercial raw milk in Jujuy (Argentina)

Los plaguicidas organoclorados fueron muy utilizadostanto en las campañas de Salud Pública como en las prácticasagrícolas desde la década del '70. Cuando fueron confirmadosresiduos de éstos tóxicos en tejidos grasos de animales y personas asícomo la gran estabilidad en el ambiente y su movilización en todo elplaneta, su uso fue restringido y en algunos casos prohibidos. Sinembargo, aún hoy se detectan residuos de organoclorados endiferentes estratos y aún hoy se comercializan y utilizan productosaltamente tóxicos. El principal objetivo de esta investigación fuedeterminar cualicuantitativamente la presencia de plaguicidasorganoclorados en leche cruda producida en el Departamento Dr. M.Belgrano y que es consumida en San Salvador de Jujuy (Jujuy-Argentina).Se analizaron 20 muestras de leche cruda provenientes de 5 tambosexpendedores en la ciudad. Se utilizó cromatografía de gases paraidentificación y cuantificación de residuos. Se detectaron residuos dea-HCH (hexaclorocicloexano) en el 55% de las muestras de lecheanalizadas; DDT y sus metabolitos en el 35% de las muestras; a y bendosulfán en el 30% de las muestras analizadas; lindano en el 5% delas muestras siendo un producto restringido para campos de pastoreo;heptacloro epóxido exógeno, endrín, trans-clordano,difenildiclorotricloroetano, entre otros. Algunos residuos superabanlos Límites Máximos Permitidos, particularmente el trans-clordano,según la legislación vigente, mientras otros se encontraban pordebajo de dichos límites. Se detectaron residuos de plaguicidasutilizados en las prácticas agrícolas de explotaciones tabacalerasvecinas a los tambos.La calidad bromatológica de las muestras provenientes de todos lostambos es buena ya que cumplen con las condiciones establecidas porel Código Alimentario Argentino, a pesar que está prohibida lacomercialización de leche directamente del productor al consumidor.(..) (AU)

Organo chlorine pesticides are widely used in both public health campaigns and agricultural practices since the'70s.The confirmation of organo chlorine residues in human and animal fat tissues as well as its great stability in the environment and its mobilization throughout the planet made its use restricted and evenbanned. However, organochlorine residues are still detected indifferent strata; and currently, highly toxic products are still commercialized. The main objective of this work was the qualitative and quantitative determination of organochlorine pesticides in raw milk that is produced for human consumption in the Dr. M. BelgranoDepartment in San Salvador de Jujuy (Jujuy- Argentina).Raw milk samples from local dairy farms were analyzed. Gaschromatography was used to identify and quantify pesticide residues. Among the detected residues were: endosulfan (30% samples), lindane (5%), exogen heptachlor epoxide, end rine, trans-chlordane, hexachlorocyclohexane (55%), and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane(DDT) residues. Some of these residue levels were higher than the maximum allowed by the current (trans-clordane) local legislation while others were below the limits. It was also detected residues of pesticides used in agricultural practices of neighboring tobaccoplantations.The bromatological quality of the samples from all the dairy farmsmet the Código Alimentario Argentino requirements. Even tough direct producer-consumer commercialization is illegal in Argentina; this ban is not strictly enforced. All the samples analyzed contained residues of at least one organo chlorine pesticide, and although they were in small concentrations they represent a health hazard since this type of food is for the elderly, children and the sick (AU)