Arsenic contamination in paddy is rising from ground water in West Bengal.

• Arsenic contamination of paddy plants due to concentration of arsenic accumulation depends on variety of paddy and its stage in crop cycle.
• Its concentration varies with rice variety and stage in crop cycle. Arsenic is a natural component in Earth’s crust.
• It is widely distributed throughout environment in air, water and land.
• It is highly toxic in its inorganic form. Intake of soluble inorganic arsenic over long period can lead to chronic arsenic poisoning (arsenicosis), diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
• In India, Arsenic pollution big problem in West Bengal and neighbouring states.
• In West Bengal, there are 83 blocks in eight districts where groundwater is arsenic contaminated. Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia districts have higher levels of arsenic concentration.

?The study shows that arsenic uptake in the paddy plant reduces from root to grain, and that its concentration is related to the variety of the rice cultivated. The study was carried out on two commonly consumed rice varieties — Minikit and Jaya — and the latter was found to be more resistant to arsenic.