How harmful is Arsenic?

Arsenic is rated HIGH avoidance priority (7.1/10) on the Read Off Label scale, derived from strong evidence of high harm magnitude and variable exposure prevalence.

Rankings / Toxins

Arsenic

Toxins · Metalloid / IARC Group 1

High priority

Reviewed by Read Off Label · Last reviewed Jun 8, 2026 · How we grade

heavy-metal

7.1 / 10

HIGH

Mag 8 Ev 8 Prev 5

Bottom line

Read Off Label rates Arsenic a HIGH avoidance priority (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.

The intervention here is reducing exposure, not adding a compound.

What this is

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%. Well users in affected regions should test annually.

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

Dose & route

Well water testing (especially NE, Midwest, Southwest); rice variety choice (basmati/jasmine lower than brown); don't use rice water in infant formula

Citations

Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.

Common questions

How harmful is Arsenic?: Arsenic is rated HIGH avoidance priority (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
How do you reduce exposure to 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.