Rice versus Drinking Water: Estimating the Primary Source of Arsenic in the U.S. Diet
Abstract
Arsenic compounds are often naturally present in water and food.12 A new study estimates Americans’ inorganic arsenic exposures from drinking water and rice—a food that may contain arsenic—and concludes that rice consumption may account for as much inorganic arsenic exposure as drinking water in some U.S. populations. At high levels, long-term exposures to inorganic forms of arsenic are strongly linked to cancer and have been associated to a lesser extent with diabetes, lung disease, and cardiovascular disease. Arsenic in drinking water is almost exclusively inorganic arsenic; consequently, national and international guidelines have established drinking water exposure limits. Drinking water remains a priority in terms of reducing exposure to arsenic, with organizations including the World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) setting a limit of 10 lg=L for drinking water.125 Arsenic concentrations in foods are highly variable, and regulatory limits have not yet been established.267 Because the structure of a food can hinder the accessibility of arsenic for uptake and absorption, a person’s internal dose is not necessarily equal to the total amount of arsenic contained in the food that is eaten. Rice, which accumulates more arsenic than other staple foods, has been estimated to contribute approximately 20% of dietary arsenic exposure on average, but the quantities of arsenic in rice can vary as a function of the specific variety as well as the…
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