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Groundwater Irrigation and Arsenic Speciation in Rice in Cambodia
Tom Murphy1, Kongkea Phan1, Emmanuel Yumvihoze2
1International University, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Journal of Health & Pollution
|December 8, 2018
Summary
Arsenic in Cambodian rice is primarily organic and less toxic. Storing irrigation water significantly reduces arsenic levels in rice, improving food safety and public health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Food Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Arsenic bioaccumulation in rice poses a global threat to food security and public health.
- Understanding arsenic species in rice is crucial for assessing health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate arsenic species in Cambodian rice.
- To evaluate health risks associated with rice consumption.
- To address uncertainties in Codex guidelines for arsenic in rice.
Main Methods:
- Collected water, rice, and soil samples from Cambodia.
- Conducted family interviews.
- Analyzed metals and arsenic species in international laboratories.
Main Results:
- Cambodian rice with high arsenic levels predominantly contains less toxic organic arsenic (dimethylarsinic acid).
- Storing surface runoff for irrigation significantly reduces arsenic in rice (>95% removal from groundwater possible).
Conclusions:
- Improved drinking water reduced inorganic arsenic exposure by 95%.
- Arsenic toxicity issues in farmers are expected to decrease.
- Cambodian rice meets current Codex guidelines for arsenic.
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