Surface water and groundwater in Pastos Chicos, Jujuy, are naturally contaminated with arsenic (As). With the aim to estimate the intake of As present in the diet of the population, the concentration of total and inorganic arsenic (TAs and IAs) in drinking water and prepared food (solid and liquid), and the bioaccessible fraction in solid food, was investigated by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. The TAs in water was in a range from 700 and 820 μg L~(-1) and in food from 20 to 1920 ug kg~(-1) fw. (fresh weight), corresponding to IAs 82 to 115%. The IAs bioaccessible fraction was 63 ± 9% of TAs in solid food. Taking into account drinking water and cooked food, the IAs intake exceeded the Provisional Temporary Weekly Intake (PTWI) in 15 times. High levels of arsenic in cooked food by the use of water with As suggest that they must be considered in the evaluation of exposure.
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