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Food Chain Aspects of Arsenic Contamination in Bangladesh: Effects on Quality and Productivity of Rice

J. M. Duxbury*
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

A. B. Mayer
Division of Nutrition, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

J. G. Lauren
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

N. Hassan
Division of Nutrition, Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The total arsenic content of 150 paddy rice samples collected from Barisal, Comilla, Dinajpur, Kaunia, and Rajshahi districts, and from the BRRI experimental station at Rajshahi city in the boro and aman seasons of 2000 was determined by hydride generation-inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP). Arsenic concentrations varied from 10 to 420 mg/kg at 14% moisture content. Rice yields and grain arsenic concentrations were 1.5 times higher in the boro (winter) than the summer (monsoon) season, consistent with the much greater use of groundwater for irrigation in the boro season. Mean values for the boro and aman season rice were 183 and 117 mg/kg, respectively. The variation in arsenic concentrations in rice was only partially consistent with the pattern of arsenic concentrations in drinking water tube wells. There was no evidence from yield or panicle sterility data of arsenic toxicity to rice. Processing of rice (parboiling and milling) reduced arsenic concentrations in rice by an average of 19% in 21 samples collected from households. Human exposure to arsenic through rice would be equivalent to half of that in water containing 50 mg/kg for 14% of the paddy rice samples at rice and water intake levels of 400 g and 4 L/cap/day, respectively.

Keywords: Paddy rice; Groundwater; Grain arsenic content; Human exposure; Food processing.

Location: Barisal, Comilla, Dinajpur, Kaunia, and Rajshahi districts, and from the BRRI experimental station at Rajshahi city

Start Date: 00-00-2000

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Arsenic

Objectives:

To assess the levels of arsenic in rice across the areas studied,

to compare arsenic levels in boro and aman season rice,
to assess the impact of arsenic on crop yield and
to evaluate the effect of processing (parboiling and milling) on arsenic content.

Methodology:

Rice samples were collected from selected villages and surrounding areas in Barisal, Comilla, Dinajpur, Kaunia, and Rajshahi districts, and from the BRRI experimental station at Rajshahi city in the boro and Aman seasons of 2000. Four of the villages (Atrai, Laksham, Nawabganj, and Wazipur) were selected from the 14 that are used for the National Nutrition Survey. The villages were selected to provide a range of agricultural and soil characteristics as well as local and high yielding varieties. Crop yield was determined from harvest of 1 m² area in a representative field and filled and empty grains were counted for five panicles as a measure of sterility. The location of each sampling site was recorded using a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit. Samples of processed and unprocessed rice were collected from households, where these were available. Processing involved parboiling and milling and was not standardized, rather it was whatever had been followed by the household. Visual observation indicated that the extent of milling of the grain was quite variable. A total of 21 samples were collected. For analysis, grain samples were ground using a Wiley mill then 0.5 g sub-samples were digested using a nitric acid/H₂O₂ procedure. Arsenic was determined on a Spectro CIROS^CCD ICP following hydride reduction to arsine. Arsenic concentration in grain is reported at 14% moisture content and the detection limit was 1 mg/kg grain.

Source of Information: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH, Vol. A38, No.1, pp. 61–69, 2003 Part A—Toxic/Hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering

Article Link (Online Journal): https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anne-Marie_Mayer/publication/10857082_Food_chain_aspects_of_arsenic_contamination_in_Bangladesh_effects_on_quality_and_productivity_of_rice/links/544680a30cf2d62c304dcdf0.pdf

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The results of this study show that the arsenic concentration in paddy rice varies widely and that the variation is not entirely consistent with the pattern of arsenic concentrations in drinking water tube wells.

Knowledge Management: Journal