Determination of total arsenic in environmental samples from Kumasi and Obuasi, Ghana.

Abstract

The total arsenic content of some Ghana food and cash crops from Kumasi and Obuasi farms and markets was determined. Quantitative analysis of arsenic was also conducted on vegetation, cooked food obtained from some homes, local fish, and meat, as well as some soil and water samples. In all, 266 samples were examined. Values for Kumasi samples ranged from 0.07 to 7.20 mg/kg arsenic, whereas those for Obuasi ranged from 0.12 to 70.50 mg/kg, confirming that arsenic levels for Obuasi are much higher than those for Kumasi.