Towards an Arsenic Safe Environment in Bangladesh - Unicef

FOODSAFETYThe impact of arsenic on food safety is increasingly being recognized. Recentdata on total and inorganic arsenic in rice and vegetables from some districts ofsouthwestern Bangladesh indicate that rice can contribute significantly to thedaily intake of arsenic. The average daily intake of arsenic from rice for aBangladeshi adult is approximately 100 microgram, equivalent to consumption of2 liters of water if the water contains arsenic at the Bangladesh drinking waterlimit of 50 microgram per liter. The WHO Provisional Maximum Tolerable DailyIntake (PMTDI) for an adult is 140 microgram arsenic per 65 kg body mass. Inparts of the country arsenic levels in rice are higher than average becauseirrigation water contain high arsenic. In Faridpur, for example, boro riceconsumption leads to an average intake of 150% of the PMTDI. However, furtherresearch is needed to ascertain the full impact of these findings, especiallybecause there is no evidence yet to suggest that arsenic in rice at thisconcentration is toxic to humans.In addition to arsenic concentration in edible crops, arsenic may also enter thefood chain through fodder crops (Figure 2). Rice straw is the main cattle/buffalofeed in Bangladesh and arsenic-contaminated straw could impact animal healthand the quality of animal products. It has been found that cattle manure hasapproximately the same arsenic concentration as straw feed. Manure is also usedas a kitchen fuel, which provides an additional route for human exposure toarsenic.10/11