By Faridat Salifu
A groundbreaking study published in The Lancet Planetary Health has found that climate change could significantly increase toxic arsenic levels in rice—a dietary staple for more than half of the world’s population.
The findings raise serious concerns for global food safety, especially across Asia where rice is a core part of daily nutrition.
Led by Columbia University’s Dr. Lewis Ziska, in collaboration with researchers from China and the U.S., the study reveals that higher temperatures and elevated carbon dioxide levels—conditions expected to intensify due to climate change—cause rice plants to absorb more arsenic.
The heavy metal is a known carcinogen and has been linked to cancers, cardiovascular disease, and developmental issues in infants.
“This is not just about reduced nutrition. Climate change is actually making our food more dangerous,” said Dr. Ziska. “When we simulated future climate conditions in our field trials, arsenic levels in rice grains climbed significantly—more than we expected.”
Rice is particularly vulnerable because of how it’s grown—typically submerged in water to suppress weeds, which also creates a prime environment for arsenic absorption.
This study is the first of its kind to evaluate how multiple rice varieties respond to both rising temperatures and CO₂ levels simultaneously over a six-year period.
Related Posts
The researchers assessed data from seven rice-dependent countries—Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Myanmar, and India—and found a clear link between projected climate conditions and increased health risks from arsenic exposure.
These regions face the highest vulnerability due to both high rice consumption and large-scale cultivation in submerged fields.
Inorganic arsenic, the most harmful form, often seeps into paddies through contaminated water or soil, and once absorbed by the rice plant, it cannot be removed by washing or cooking.
There are currently no global regulatory limits for arsenic content in rice, including in countries like the U.S., where rice-based infant foods have previously come under scrutiny.
Public health experts say the findings should push governments to take urgent action—both to limit greenhouse gas emissions and to address arsenic contamination.
Suggested interventions include breeding rice strains that absorb less arsenic, switching to alternate irrigation methods, and raising awareness about dietary diversity.
“This is a wake-up call,” said Dr. Keeve Nachman, a co-author of the study and professor at Johns Hopkins University. “It’s not just about crop yields anymore—climate change is quietly changing the safety of our most basic foods.”
With global rice demand expected to rise alongside population growth, scientists emphasize the need for immediate policy and agricultural reforms to safeguard food security.
Source :Phys.com
