THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTILAL BHURIA)
(a) & (b) : Rice grown in the arsenic contaminated areas of West Bengal, particularly in
Haringhata, Chakdah blocks of Nadia district and Deganga block of the district of 24 parganas
(North) has shown accumulation of arsenic in rice mentioned as under:
Arsenic content (mg kg-1)
Rice dry matter Rice grain
Pre-kharif rice 5.90 - 18.82 1.98 - 3.52
Boro rice 11.6 - 23.8 1.84 - 10.0
However, the risk of arsenic toxicity through rice is limited as much of the arsenic
taken up by rice plant is accumulated in the hull, and aleuron layer and most of it, is lost
while milling, polishing and after cooking rice.
(c) & (d) : The UK group of researchers led by Professor Andrew Meharg, has concentrated
their study in Bangladesh and found significant build-up of arsenic in Bangladesh soils
through administration of arsenic contaminated groundwater in irrigation.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has initiated a network project entitled
`Arsenic in food chain: cause, effect and mitigation.` to deal with arsenic entry in food-chain
through food, feed, fodder, livestock, fish, milk etc. and the effects in human physiology
thereof, along with exploring possible mitigation options under the National Agricultural
Innovation Project involving various centres including Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya,
West Bengal. The arsenic toxicity is also being addressed through State Arsenic Task Force,
Public Health Engineering Directorate and others.
