Rice is one of the most popular foods in the world. It is constantly served in households of every ethnicity in a variety of different styles. Yet scholarly studies have recently revealed that rice might not be the healthy staple that we have always regarded it to be. In fact, it might contain high levels of a dangerous poison known as arsenic. This deadly chemical has been a popular poison for assassins in the past. In smaller doses, it has been known to bring on skin lesions, cancers, and cardiovascular disease. The fact is there is nothing in arsenic that is good for you. Even low dose exposure can bring on tons of health problems, especially for pregnant women. A recent study shows that when a fetus is exposed to arsenic it has a higher possibility for infant mortality or will be born at a low-birth weight.

Commonly, reports have announced that there may be arsenic in drinking water because groundwater can be naturally contaminated with the chemical. Now, the scholarly journal called Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has published their study concerning arsenic in rice, and expressing a special fear for pregnant women and their children. The study was led by the Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Center at Dartmouth Medical School. The scientists looked at 229 pregnant women in New Hampshire and tested them for arsenic concentration. Of those who did have arsenic in their bodies, 73 had been eating rice at the time of the test. Researchers at the school found that the women who ate rice daily had median arsenic levels of 5.27 micrograms per liter. Those who did not eat rice had lower arsenic levels, averaging at 3.38 micrograms per liter. When the rice was measured in addition to arsenic levels in water, it created a dangerous situation.

The Environmental Protection Agency says that people should limit their arsenic exposure to about 10 mcg per liter. While a cup of rice every once and awhile may not be enough to bridge this gap, having the food at every meal can prove debilitating. Rice can absorb arsenic via groundwater, just like the drinking water does. The problem is that it absorbs the dangerous chemical more efficiently than the other crops do. While the average American eats half a cup of rice a day, some ethnic groups eat it a lot more frequently. Asians average two cups of rice per day. Also, the U.S. and the E.U. have no statutory limits on the arsenic levels in rice, which presents a danger. Scientists that participated in the study say that they want to remind men and women that they will need to do further testing to see whether consuming rice with arsenic can damage health. Yet they suggest that pregnant women be careful when eating the grain.

Arsenic has also been linked to certain apple juices in the past. You should research on your own to see whether the product that you are consuming have been reported to have high arsenic levels. Time Magazine suggests that people don’t rush to cut rice out of their diets just yet. Reporters at the magazine instead recommend that you take precautions when consuming rice and continue to look out for more research on the topic. If you are pregnant and your child suffered because of arsenic exposure, then talk to a personal injury attorney right away to see whether or not you have a case. You may be able to litigate against the store that carried the rice and the manufacturing company that packaged and marketed the product!