Probabilistic estimation and statuses of total, bioaccessible and inorganic arsenic accumulation in commercial white and brown rice in Thailand

Abstract

ABSTRACT Arsenic (As) in rice is a crucial public health concern because it is a human carcinogen. This study was conducted to determine the actual As concentrations and estimate the probable range of As in rice. The status of As accumulation in rice was also determined. White (n=154) and brown (n=54) rice samples were collected over three crop years. The concentrations of As (total, bioaccessible and inorganic) were determined. The total As concentrations in white (0.088–0.295 mg/kg) and brown (0.119–0.517 mg/kg) rice were approximately 58.8% and 57.4% higher than the Codex standards, respectively. However, the bioaccessible and inorganic As in both types of rice were lower than the standards for both rice types. Regarding the classifications of As accumulation (low, normal, high and unusually high), the actual As concentrations found in the rice samples were either in the normal range or a high concentration of As.