Study Warns Climate Change May Increase Arsenic in Rice, Raising Cancer Risk in Asia

A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal has found that climate change could be contributing to rising levels of arsenic in rice, potentially increasing lifetime cancer risks for populations across Asia by 2050.

Researchers from Columbia University in the United States have warned that a global temperature increase above 2°C and elevated carbon dioxide levels may alter soil chemistry in a way that promotes arsenic accumulation in rice grains. This trend could have significant public health implications for countries where rice is a staple food, particularly across South and Southeast Asia.

“Increased temperatures and CO₂ concentrations may be changing how arsenic behaves in the soil, making it more bioavailable for rice plants to absorb,” the study explained. Arsenic contamination in soil and irrigation water is already known to raise inorganic arsenic levels in rice — a toxic form linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems.

The researchers stressed that the potential health impact of increased arsenic exposure could be especially severe in Asia, where rice consumption is high. The findings add to a growing body of evidence showing how climate change can affect food safety and nutrition.

Experts are calling for urgent strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture, including the development of arsenic-resistant rice strains, better irrigation practices, and enhanced monitoring of food safety.

The study underscores the complex and far-reaching consequences of climate change, highlighting the need for comprehensive action to safeguard both planetary and human health.