Arsenic concentrations in brown rice and health risk assessment

Supalak Kongsri

Nuclear Technology Research and Development Center (NTRDC), Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (Public Organization), 9/9 Moo 7, Saimoon, Ongkharak, Nakhon Nayok 26120, Thailand

Chunyapuk Kukusamude

Nuclear Technology Research and Development Center (NTRDC), Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (Public Organization), 9/9 Moo 7, Saimoon, Ongkharak, Nakhon Nayok 26120, Thailand

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14456/apst.2025.66

Keywords: Arsenic Carcinogenic risks Estimated weekly intake INAA Thai population

Abstract

The concentration of arsenic (As) in fifty brown rice samples was analyzed using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The samples were irradiated for seven hours at the Thai Research Reactor (TRR-1/M1) in Bangkok, Thailand. After neutron irradiation, the gamma-ray intensity of the samples was measured using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The average As concentration found in the brown rice samples was 0.217 mg/kg. The As levels in the studied samples were below the Codex maximum permissible level of inorganic As (0.35 mg/kg). The estimated weekly intake (EWI) of As via brown rice consumption for males (3.176 µg/kg BW/week) and females (3.809 µg/kg BW/week) was below the previously established provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 15 µg/kg BW. Thus, the findings suggest that the Thai population is not at significant risk of As exposure through brown rice consumption based on the EWI. However, the carcinogenic risk for both Thai males and females exceeded the acceptable risk threshold (10⁻⁴), indicating a potential health concern over a lifetime of rice consumption.

How to Cite

Kongsri, S., & Kukusamude, C. (2025). Arsenic concentrations in brown rice and health risk assessment. Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, 30(04), APST–30. https://doi.org/10.14456/apst.2025.66

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