Effect of water management on human exposure to inorganic arsenic and other trace elements through rice consumption

Arsenic (As) is widely spread in the environment. Its inorganic form (i-As) is carcinogenic. Rice is a global staple food and an important source of calories, nutrients, As and other elements. The use of aerobic conditions or intermittent ponding during cultivation is one of the strategies to decrease As contamination in rice grains. The present study investigated whether different soil water tensions (SWTs) applied at different phenological phases (Ph.Ph.) may affect the accumulation and human exposure to essential and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) including As species. The results showed that rice husks accumulate a major fraction of some elements, including 80-96% of the Pb. It was observed that the higher SWT in the Ph.Ph. R1 was responsible for a 45% decrease in As in whole grains and an increase of more than 3000% in Cd, compared with the flooded treatment in the vegetative period. Higher SWT in Ph.Ph. R1 and R2 decreased the risk associated with As daily intake. Health risk assessments revealed potential non-carcinogenic risks associated with the combined effect of exposure to PTE, as well as carcinogenic risks related to As. Water management is a useful strategy to mitigate these risks from rice intake.