Researchers: Higher levels of arsenic in U.S. rice [View All]

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20050803/ts_usatoday/researchershigherlevelsofarsenicinusrice;_ylt=AucBloyYzVnJO_184soIurp34T0D;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

Rice grown in the USA has low levels of arsenic. But those levels are up to five times higher than those found in rice grown in Europe, India and Bangladesh, says a report in the August edition of Environmental Science and Technology.

Researchers from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland found an average of 0.26 micrograms of arsenic per gram of U.S. rice. By contrast, Indian basmati rice had 0.05 micrograms per gram. (There are 1 million micrograms per gram of rice and about 16 grains of short-grained rice in one gram.)


Researchers calculated that of those 0.26 micrograms of arsenic in U.S. rice, 42% were an inorganic form that is potentially harmful. While these are tiny amounts, arsenic levels are monitored because long-term intake is associated with increases in some cancers. Low doses are not known to cause acute illness.


Despite its poisonous reputation - it is deadly in very high doses - arsenic is a naturally occurring chemical in soil. It can also come from pesticides. However, researchers don't yet know why levels in the U.S. are as high as they are.


The results are surprising because Bangladesh struggles with severe arsenic-contaminated ground and irrigation water. Arsenic levels as high as 0.95 micrograms per gram of rice have been reported there in the past, the researchers wrote.