By Dr. Kyle Muller

The growth of temperatures and CO2 alters soil chemistry, making rice more subject to absorbing arsenic from the earth, to the detriment of health.

Climate change are changing the soil by facilitating Arsenic absorption On the part of the resone, rice in the raw state, still covered with its external parts. It is known that rice can contain inorganic arsenic, and the fact that the quantity of this substance in its beans is destined to increase could represent a health problem for the populations that make cereal their basic food.

An analysis published on the The Lancet Planetary  Health He studied in detail the combined effects of the increase in temperatures and atmospheric CO2 on arsenic levels in rice, and the consequences of all this on consumer health.

A well -known contaminant. The arsenic is a semi -content of the natural component of the earth’s crust, which in inorganic form (mineral arsenic) is toxic to the body. Rice absorbs it more easily than other plants if it is available in the ground or in the water used to flood the rice fields. Since the arsenic accumulates above all in the external part of the grain, the rice processing method also influences the final concentration of arsenic at the time of consumption.

Rupture of the balance. Based on the study, led by the mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University, temperatures above + 2 ° C of heating compared to pre-industrial levels and greater concentrations of atmospheric CO2 can induce changes in soil chemistry which favor the presence of arsenic. This in turn is more easily absorbed by rice plants, a fact that could increase the risks of chronic diseases for the populations of Asia by 2050.

Chronic diseases. “Since rice is a basic food in many parts of the world, these changes could lead to a substantial increase in the global incidence of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and other health problems related to Arsenic”, explains Lewis Ziska, among the authors of the study.

«From the health point of view, the toxicological effects of the chronic exposure to the inherent Arsenic are well known and include lung tumors, bladder and skinas well as ischemic heart disease », adds Ziska. «New evidence also suggest that exposure to Arsenic can be connected to diabetes, adverse results of pregnancy, neurological development problems and effects on the immune system. In fact, the intake of rice in regions such as southern China and sweaty and southern Asia is already a significant source of food arsenic and cancer risk ».

Sailing plate. Scientists measured the effects of increasing temperatures and CO2 out of 28 varieties of rice Over 10 years and estimated the dosage of inorganic arsenic and health risks for seven Asian countries: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines and Vietnam.

They therefore imagined the consumption of rice per country based on estimates for the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) estimates and calculated the effects on the health of the increases of Arsenic previously detected.

The projections for 2050 suggest an increase in cases of cancer In the seven countries studied, in particular to the lungs and the bladder (forms that scientific literature has already associated with the toxic effects of inorganic Arsenic). China should meet the highest number of cases: estimates speak in total of 13.4 million cases of cancer linked to the exposure to arsenic in rice.

Good practices. Urgent interventions are then needed for Reduce arsenic levels that rice plants will be able to absorb. Much can be done: how to improve the selection efforts of plants that absorb less arsenic, work for better soil management and rice processing techniques that are more easily getting rid of this substance. So as to mitigate the impacts of the inorganic Arsenic on the health of those who consume rice in high quantities.

Published Date: April 18, 2025