Arsenic
Toxins · Metalloid / IARC Group 1
High exposure concern
Bottom line
Read Off Label rates Arsenic a HIGH exposure concern (7.1/10) based on strong evidence of high harm magnitude and variable exposure prevalence.
Rice accumulates arsenic from irrigation; brown rice retains more (in bran) than white.
This entry describes an exposure rather than an added intervention.
What the evidence says
Rice accumulates arsenic from irrigation; brown rice retains more (in bran) than white. Consumer Reports and Healthy Babies Bright Futures (2022) testing shows wide variation by source and variety. Cooking rice like pasta in excess water then draining reduces arsenic 30-60%. Public-health guidance in affected regions recommends annual well-water testing.
Mechanism
Inorganic arsenic (iAs) — the toxic form; found in groundwater (private wells in parts of US, Southeast Asia), rice (especially brown rice from certain regions), some apple juices; organic arsenic in seafood largely non-toxic
Reported exposure / mitigation context
Well water testing (especially NE, Midwest, Southwest); rice variety choice (basmati/jasmine lower than brown); rice-water infant formula can increase inorganic arsenic exposure
Citations
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Common questions
- How harmful is Arsenic?
- Arsenic is rated HIGH exposure concern (7.1/10) on the Read Off Label scale, derived from strong evidence of high harm magnitude and variable exposure prevalence.
- How does Arsenic cause harm?
- Inorganic arsenic (iAs) — the toxic form; found in groundwater (private wells in parts of US, Southeast Asia), rice (especially brown rice from certain regions), some apple juices; organic arsenic in seafood largely non-toxic
- What exposure context is reported for Arsenic?
- Rice accumulates arsenic from irrigation; brown rice retains more (in bran) than white.
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.