Researchers from the University of Sheffield have found that millions of people worldwide consume water with elevated arsenic levels. The study appears in a scientific publication titled Total Environmental Science STTE.
The analysis shows that many nations rely on outdated World Health Organization guidelines for arsenic in water, which set a maximum of 50 µg/L. Countries including China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Nepal—together representing about 32 percent of the world population—adhere to guidelines that may not reflect current safety thresholds.
Chronic exposure to arsenic through drinking water, cooking water, or irrigation water can impact nearly every organ and system in the body. Long-term contact with arsenic has been associated with cancers, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, respiratory issues, and heart and vascular diseases.
The Sheffield team tested inorganic arsenic in cooking water at several levels, including 10 and 50 µg/L, and compared these with safe tap water containing less than 0.2 ppb of arsenic. The results underscore how even moderate arsenic levels can affect health over time and stress the need for clearer risk communication and protective measures.
Based on their findings, the researchers urge governments to strengthen arsenic standards for drinking and cooking water. They also suggest practical steps for households, such as cooking rice with larger quantities of water and discarding the excess, rather than steaming, which can concentrate toxins in the grains. This approach can reduce arsenic transfer into food when rice is a daily staple in many regions.
The study contributes to a growing body of work that highlights the importance of updated water safety policies, stronger monitoring, and public awareness campaigns about arsenic exposure and its health consequences. It also points to the need for affordable purification and testing solutions that communities can implement to protect vulnerable populations .
As governments evaluate water safety standards, researchers emphasize the value of ongoing surveillance and transparent reporting. Health authorities encourage households to use tested, treated water for drinking and cooking and to consider rice cooking practices that minimize arsenic uptake. The broader implication is clear: reducing arsenic exposure requires coordinated policy action, reliable household practices, and continued scientific inquiry into safe, accessible water solutions for all communities .