Arsenic and other trace elements in bovine liver and kidney from a naturally contaminated area in Argentina

In the South American Pampean Plain, high arsenic (As) concentrations are present in groundwater, exceeding, in some locations, 4 mg/L. Also, the concentrations of other elements, like selenium (Se), vanadium (V), molybdenum (Mo) or uranium (U), are elevated in this region. The elements could be taken up by crops, forages and animals, may be accumulated in tissues and have a negative impact on the health of the animals. Consumption of meat with elevated arsenic concentrations could be also a risk for human health. The aim of the present study was to determine the concentrations of As, Se, V, Mo and U in bovine liver and kidney samples and analyze the human health risk from its consumption. We found that the concentration of the elements present in liver and kidney samples were generally in accordance with the quality standards for food security set by national and international guidelines. Our results indicate that there is no health risk for consumers from the investigated elements, neither from kidneys nor from livers from the investigated regions.