Dietary Exposure to Arsenic in the Cuban Population: Results from a Total Diet Study

Arsenic (As), particularly in its inorganic form (iAs), is a toxic metalloid commonly found in food and associated with various health risks. This study assessed dietary exposure to total arsenic (t-As) and estimated inorganic arsenic intake in the Cuban adult population using a Total Diet Study (TDS). A 24-hour dietary recall survey was conducted with 450 individuals from different regions of Cuba. A total of 107 commonly consumed food items were purchased, prepared as typically consumed, and grouped into 17 categories. The samples were digested and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) to quantify t-As. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), and Carcinogenic Risk (CR) were calculated. The highest concentrations of t-As were detected in the fish and seafood group (0.288 µg/g), followed by rice (0.032 µg/g) and vegetables (0.018 µg/g). The estimated intake of t-As was 54.6 µg/day. Assuming that 10% corresponds to iAs, the intake of inorganic arsenic was estimated at 5.46 µg/day. The THQ for iAs was 0.22, suggesting no significant non-carcinogenic risk. However, the CR for iAs was 1.0·10⁻⁴, indicating a potential lifetime cancer risk for 10 individuals per 100,000, which falls within the acceptable risk range. In conclusion, while total arsenic intake in the Cuban population complies with national limits, the presence of iAs may still pose a low but noteworthy cancer risk. Continued monitoring and public health interventions are recommended to minimize exposure through dietary sources.