Resumen en inglés

In the region of La Mojana, a serious threat to food security has been evidenced due to contamination by heavy metals, which has been evidenced in soils, water and sediments and has come to contaminate agricultural products such as rice and fish. It was proposed to evaluate the concentrations and the risk to human health of heavy metals (Mercury, Lead, Arsenic and Cadmium) in food products consumed in the region of La Mojana (Colombia). Factors associated with the consumption of food products were evaluated through a survey including socioeconomic data, and frequency of food consumption. 7,645 samples of cereal food products, meats, fruits, vegetables, milk, and tubers were collected. Mercury concentration was determined using a direct mercury analyzer (Mylestone DMA Tri Cell). The arsenic concentration was quantified with the hydride generator atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) method. The concentration of cadmium and lead were quantified with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS). The order as a function of the mean concentrations of heavy metals was Pb = 635.25, As 179.87, Cd = 57.19 and Hg = 19.52 in food products. Vegetables shows a tendency to higher concentrations of heavy metals studied compared to the rest of food products. The food products with the highest daily intake were milk and cereals (ID = 0.35; 0.25 respectively). The EDI values decreased in the following order Cereals> Fruits> Vegetables> Tubers> Milk> Meats> Eggs. The consumption of cereals and milk are the most important contributors to the total intake of As within the food products studied. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk values of the total intake evaluated were above the maximum permissible level (HQHg = 5.004; HQCd = 1.82; HQAs = 6.24; HQPb = 1.05). Heavy metals should be monitored in the La Mojana region and strategies should be implemented in food consumption to minimize the associated risk.