Levels of Arsenic in Rice Skyrocket, FDA Urged to Set StandardsLisa Garber High Levels of Arsenic Detected in Rice While arsenic is naturally occurring is water, air, food, and soil, only the organic variety passes through the body harmlessly, while inorganic arsenicfound in pesticides and insecticidesare carcinogenic. Consumer Reports Urvashi Rangan says, It doesnt make sense not to have standards for rice, especially since inorganic arsenic can, over time, build up in the body. One study from last year found that people who eat more rice have more arsenic in their bodies. Toxicologist Christopher States from the University of Louisville in Kentucky says, however, that someone would have to eat a ton of rice to obtain enough arsenic to increase their risk of diseases like cancer. Unfortunately, our bodies meet a daily barrage of toxins and hazards. While many of these are unavoidable and/or relatively harmless, some are unsafe at any level. We dont know exactly how much arsenic affects us, but long-term exposure of even low doses changes the way our cells cooperate and function. It has been linked to the following diseases: The rule of thumb is to play it safe. The news concerning arsenic in rice means to consume less rice for now. But diversify your diet and avoid known toxins and pollutants, andat least in the meantimetry to buy rice from California. Additional Sources: Explore More: This article first appeared at Natural Society, an excellent resource for health news and vaccine information. 