Arsenic accumulation in rice: Consequences of rice genotypes and management practices to reduce human health risk. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Islam, Shofiqul; Rahman, Mohammad Mahmudur; Islam, M.R.; Naidu, Ravi
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 96(2016:Nov.)
• Page Start: 139
• Page End: 155
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Arsenic -- Rice genotypes -- Bioaccumulation of As -- Management practices for mitigation -- Human health risk; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.09.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: Rice is an essential staple food and feeds over half of the world's population. Consumption of rice has increased from limited intake in Western countries some 50 years ago to major dietary intake now. Rice consumption represents a major route for inorganic arsenic (As) exposure in many countries, especially for people with a large proportion of rice in their daily diet as much as 60%. Rice plants are more efficient in assimilating As into its grains than other cereal crops and the accumulation may also adversely affect the quality of rice and their nutrition. Rice is generally grown as a lowland crop in flooded soils under reducing conditions. Under these conditions the bioavailability of As is greatly enhanced leading to excessive As bioaccumulation compared to that under oxidizing upland conditions. Inorganic As species are carcinogenic to humans and even at low levels in the diet pose a considerable risk to humans. There is a substantial genetic variation among the rice genotypes in grain-As accumulation as well as speciation. Identifying the extent of genetic variation in grain-As concentration and speciation of As compounds are crucial to determining the rice varieties which accumulate low inorganic As. Varietal selection, irrigation water management, use of fertilizer and soil amendments, cooking practices etc. play a vital role in reducing As exposure from rice grains. In the meantime assessing the bioavailability of As from rice is crucial to understanding human health exposure and reducing the risk. Highlights: Arsenic in rice poses a significant health risk to humans. Substantial genetic variation in rice genotypes to accumulate As and speciation. Water management, fertilizer and soil amendments plays a vital role to reduce As. Assessing the bioavailability of As is crucial for understanding human exposure. More research should be made on As bioavailability to reduce exposure and risk.