A new study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health reveals that climate change may significantly impact arsenic levels in paddy rice, a staple food for millions across Asia.
A new study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health reveals that climate change may significantly impact arsenic levels in paddy rice, a staple food for millions across Asia. The research indicates that increased temperatures above 2°C, combined with rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, result in higher concentrations of inorganic arsenic in rice, potentially increasing lifetime health risks for populations in Asia by 2050. Until now, the combined effects of rising CO2 and temperature on arsenic accumulation in rice have not been studied in detail.
The research, done in conjunction with colleagues at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is published in The Lancet Planetary Health(link is external and opens in a new window).
“Our results suggest that this increase in arsenic levels could significantly elevate the incidence of heart disease, diabetes, and other non-cancer health effects,” said Lewis Ziska, PhD, Columbia Mailman School associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences. “As rice is a dietary staple in many parts of the world, these changes could lead to a substantial rise in the global burden of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other arsenic-related health issues.”
Read More: Columbia University Irving Medical Center
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