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Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses of human health risk from bioaccessible arsenic exposure via rice ingestion in Bangkok, Thailand

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 32, pages 434–441 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Rice can be a source of arsenic (As) exposure, causing health impacts after ingestion.

Objective

This study analyzed health risks due to As exposure through rice consumption, focusing on both bioaccessible (bAs) and total (tAs) As levels.

Methods

Monte Carlo simulations were applied to determine health risk uncertainties and to analyze factors influencing health risks.

Results

Cooked white and brown rice contained lower tAs and bAs than FAO/WHO standards of 0.20 and 0.35 mg/kg, respectively. As became less bioaccessible after cooking (14.0% in white rice and 18.5% in brown rice). Non-carcinogenic effects (MOS < 1) were found in 5% of children. Carcinogenic effects (MOE<100), especially lung cancer, were found in 75% of adults, with a probable incidence of 7 in 1,000,000. The lowest and highest annual cancer cases were 18 in 10,000,000 adolescents and 15 in 1,000,000 adults, respectively. The risks were mainly affected by body weight and bAs concentration.

Significance

The results identified a certain risk level of non-carcinogenic effects in children and adolescents as well as carcinogenic effects in adults. The per capita consumption of rice in Thai adults should be reduced to prevent incidences of lung cancer.

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Fig. 1: Examples of the probable margin of safety (MOS) of non-carcinogenic health effects due to As exposure through rice consumption.

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Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by the Ratchadapisek Somphot Fund for Postdoctoral Fellowship of Chulalongkorn University and the GIST Research Institute (GRI) of the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in 2021. The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Environmental Research Institute (ERIC) of Chulalongkorn University and the Environmental Analysis Center of GIST for their invaluable support in terms of facilities and scientific equipment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Supanad Hensawang

  2. Environmental Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Penradee Chanpiwat

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  1. Supanad Hensawang
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SH was responsible for sample collection, sample preparation, and analysis as well as data analysis and result interpretation. PC was responsible for the development of research framework and design, data analysis and result interpretation, discussion, development of conclusion and recommendation as well as preparation and revision of a manuscript for a scientific publication.

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Correspondence to Penradee Chanpiwat.

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Hensawang, S., Chanpiwat, P. Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses of human health risk from bioaccessible arsenic exposure via rice ingestion in Bangkok, Thailand. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 32, 434–441 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-021-00372-y

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