Exposure to inorganic arsenic from rice: A global health issue?

摘要

Worldwide concerns over inorganic arsenic (As_i) in potable water have prompted much research and policy development focusing on removing this chronic human carcinogen (Nordstrom, 2002; Ahmed et al., 2006). However, recent studies have indicated that elevated As_i in rice may additionally contribute significantly to dietary As; intake (Heikens, 2006). Around 50% of total As in grain is As_i, although this can vary from 10 to 90%, with the remainder being dimethylarso-nonic acid (DMA) (Heikens, 2006). The risk posed by dietary As normally focuses on As_i as this is the carcinogenic component with a linear dose response for chronic exposure (NRC, 2001). Rice is by far the largest food dietary source of As_i for populations not drinking water with elevated As (Meacher et al., 2002; Tsuji et al., 2007).