Risk Assessment of Arsenic Toxicity Through Groundwater-Soil-Rice System in Maldah District, Bengal Delta Basin, India

Arsenic (As), a toxic trace element, is of great environmental concern due to its presence in soil, water, plant, animal and human continuum. Its high toxicity increased appearance the biosphere have triggered public concern. The present study measured As concentrations groundwater rice plant samples five selected blocks Maldah district, West Bengal, India. Soil, irrigation water were collected from fields areas. results revealed higher than maximum permissible limit (0.1 mg L?1 by FAO, 2010) Manikchak (0.553 ± 0.17 L?1), Kaliachak III (0.528 0.20 II (0.449 0.15 I (0.207 0.19 L?1). soil was also found those four blocks. content grain area positively correlated (r = 0.896**, p < 0.001) with water. data consumption per day survey used for measurement average daily intake, Hazard quotient (HQ) Incremental Life time Cancer Risk. III, showed HQ greater 1, indicating possibility non-carcinogenic health hazard exposure local residents. emphasized severity problem remote areas Bengal where people consume tainted lack awareness about associated issues.