Reducing Arsenic Levels in Rice

Studies have shown that high concentrations of arsenic in soil and irrigation water lead to crops containing high levels of the poisonous compound. High levels of arsenic in soil and groundwater have been recorded in more than 12 countries in Asia. Most of these countries are major rice producers. A new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization  (FAO) of the United Nations showed that high levels of arsenic in rice grains can be greatly reduced by applying improved irrigation management practices.

A study conducted by FAO in cooperation with the Cornell University revealed that planting rice in raised beds around 15 centimeters above the ground and not in conventional flooded fields, counteracted yield losses and resulted in lower arsenic levels in both crops and soil. Raised rice bed was also found to lessen the effects of drought and flooding, therefore serving as an adaptation to climate change. The study was conducted in Bangladesh, where the highest arsenic groundwater contamination has been recorded.

Sasha Koo-Oshima, FAO water quality and environment officer, said that identifying and targeting rural areas that are worst affected by arsenic contamination and further developing and extending the raised-bed-system should become a main priority in order to reduce the risk of arsenic contamination to human health.

The report Remediation of Arsenic for Agriculture Sustainability, Food Security and Health in Bangladesh is available at http://www.fao.org/nr/water/docs/FAOWATER_ARSENIC.pdf. Read the press release at http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2007/1000734/index.html