Overview of Arsenic Contamination in India’s Food Chain

Arsenic (As), a naturally occurring metalloid, has contaminated groundwater and staple crops in several Indian states, notably Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam. The Bihar Pollution Control Board (BPCB) (2023) reported arsenic concentrations in rice up to 0.2 mg/kg, exceeding the WHO recommended limit of 0.1 mg/kg. Groundwater arsenic levels surpass the permissible 0.01 mg/L in nine districts of Bihar, according to the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) (2023). This contamination enters the food chain primarily through rice, wheat, and potatoes, which constitute major dietary staples in affected regions.

Arsenic exposure via food and water poses grave public health risks, including arsenicosis, skin lesions, and cancers. The contamination also undermines agricultural productivity and export potential, necessitating integrated policy measures across environmental regulation, food safety, and groundwater management.

Sources and Mechanisms of Arsenic Entry into Food Chain

Arsenic contamination in India originates from both natural geological sources and anthropogenic activities. The primary pathway is through arsenic-laden groundwater used for irrigation, leading to bioaccumulation in crops.

• Natural arsenic is present in sedimentary aquifers, especially in the Gangetic plains, where reductive dissolution releases arsenic into groundwater (NIH, 2022).
• Excessive groundwater extraction for irrigation exacerbates arsenic mobilization (MoEFCC report, 2023).
• Crops like rice absorb arsenic more readily due to flooded paddy fields creating anaerobic conditions favoring arsenic uptake (ICMR-NIN, 2022).
• Wheat and potatoes also show arsenic accumulation, though at lower levels (0.05–0.15 mg/kg) (BPCB, 2023).

Legal and Constitutional Framework Governing Arsenic Contamination

The Indian legal regime mandates state responsibility for safe food and water under Article 21 (Right to Life). Several Acts regulate arsenic contamination:

• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: Provides overarching authority for pollution control.
• Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: Sections 24 and 25 regulate groundwater extraction and pollution.
• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSAI): Sets maximum permissible limits for arsenic in food products (0.1 mg/kg for rice).
• Prevention and Control of Pollution (Air, Water and Soil) Rules, 1986: Supplementary provisions for soil and water contamination control.
• National Green Tribunal (NGT): Has issued rulings emphasizing mitigation of groundwater contamination and enforcing remediation.

Economic Impact of Arsenic Contamination

Arsenic contamination adversely affects agricultural productivity, public health expenditures, and export earnings.

• Bihar produces over 16 million tonnes of rice annually (Ministry of Agriculture, 2022); contamination threatens yield quality and marketability.
• Healthcare costs related to arsenicosis exceed Rs 200 crore annually in affected districts (Bihar Health Department, 2023).
• Export losses due to food safety concerns are estimated at 5-7% annually (APEDA, 2023).
• Remediation and alternate water supply schemes require substantial funding; Rs 500 crore allocated under Jal Jeevan Mission (2023-24) for arsenic-safe water provision in Bihar and West Bengal.

Institutional Roles and Coordination Challenges

Multiple institutions are involved in monitoring, regulation, and mitigation, but coordination gaps persist.

• Bihar Pollution Control Board (BPCB): Monitors arsenic levels in environment and food samples.
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): Regulates permissible arsenic limits in food.
• Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): Assesses groundwater quality and manages contamination data.
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): Formulates environmental policies and enforces pollution control.
• National Institute of Hydrology (NIH): Conducts research on groundwater arsenic contamination mechanisms.
• Jal Shakti Ministry: Implements safe drinking water schemes under national missions.

Data on Arsenic Contamination Levels

International Comparison: Bangladesh’s Arsenic Mitigation Model

Bangladesh, facing a comparable arsenic crisis affecting over 20 million people, implemented the National Arsenic Mitigation Policy (2004). Key features include:

• Promotion of well-switching to low-arsenic aquifers.
• Development of alternative water sources such as rainwater harvesting.
• Public awareness campaigns on arsenic risks.
• Resulted in a 30% reduction in arsenic exposure over 10 years (WHO Bangladesh, 2018).

India can adapt this model with region-specific modifications, integrating groundwater management with food safety monitoring.

Policy Gaps and Challenges

Current Indian policies largely treat groundwater arsenic contamination and food safety as separate issues, leading to:

• Lack of integrated monitoring of arsenic bioaccumulation in crops.
• Delayed risk assessment and mitigation in the food chain.
• Insufficient coordination among environmental, agricultural, and health departments.
• Limited public awareness and community engagement in contamination-prone areas.

Way Forward: Integrated Policy and Institutional Reforms

• Establish a unified arsenic monitoring framework linking groundwater quality data with crop contamination assessments.
• Strengthen enforcement of FSSAI standards with region-specific permissible limits based on local contamination levels.
• Expand funding for arsenic-safe irrigation and drinking water infrastructure under Jal Jeevan Mission and allied schemes.
• Promote research on arsenic-resistant crop varieties and alternative cropping patterns.
• Enhance inter-ministerial coordination between MoEFCC, Jal Shakti, Agriculture, and Health Ministries.
• Implement targeted public awareness and community participation programs in high-risk districts.

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