Estimation of dietary intake of arsenic in the general population of the Republic of Croatia

Total amounts of arsenic in foods sold in Croatia were determined over a 5-year period (1988-1993). Highest mean levels were recorded in the following food groups: fish (498 mu g/kg), fishery products (270 mu g/kg) and cheese and dairy products (39 mu g/kg); lowest levels were contained in fruit, chocolate and fruit products (0.2, 0.2 and 0.3 mu g/kg, respectively). Mean weekly dietary arsenic intake estimated on the basis of the level of arsenic and consumption of the studied foodstuffs is 81.9 mu g/individual. The PTWI level achieved by the general population of Croatia is 7.8%.