Environmental Impact Associated With Arsenic Levels In Rice Grains From The Quevedo Canton, Ecuador

Abstract

Arsenic contamination in agricultural crops poses a significant risk to human health and the environment. In this study, we analyzed the environmental impact of arsenic on corn grains from the Quevedo canton in Ecuador. Rice, as a global staple food, is a potential source of exposure to arsenic, a toxic metalloid that affects both health and agriculture. The lack of updated data in the region motivated this research. Rice samples were collected from the main distributors in the canton, as well as a control sample from crops. Using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, arsenic concentrations were determined to range from 0.12 ± 0.02 mg/kg to 0.21 ± 0.06 mg/kg, with an average of 0.17 mg/kg. Although these values comply with European Union regulations (0.25 mg/kg), one sample exceeded the national limit (0.2 mg/kg), posing a risk to food safety. Statistical analysis (ANOVA and Tukey) revealed that there are no significant differences between distributors. The analysis of the environmental impacts associated with the presence of arsenic reveals that, on average, the values obtained are negative, indicating that they do not represent severe environmental damage.