I was under the impression that the majority of the arsenic concentration in rice fields is actually an unintented consequence of pesticides used in the 1800's that persist in the soil still today.
The study I saw implied that most of the metals were on the surface as dust, so you could rinse about 60% off. I would expect the bran, containing a lot of the protein and minerals, would have more in it, and also make it more difficult to remove surface contamination.
Incidentally there are also some studies challenging the heavy metals in broadleaf plants link. The newer studies suggest surface contamination is a much bigger factor. That's also another 'pro' in the column for cleaning your vegetables with white vinegar instead of soap. Acids are pretty good at dissolving metal dust, especially from residual contamination near roads from leaded gas. My yard tested high.
> The study I saw implied that most of the metals were on the surface as dust, so you could rinse about 60% off.
> The newer studies suggest surface contamination is a much bigger factor.
interesting!
then maybe i dont need to overdo it with rice, sounds good.
> That's also another 'pro' in the column for cleaning your vegetables with white vinegar instead of soap.
sounds good, sometimes i skip the rinsing and washing but that is good motivation to keep it up, thanks!
Phytoremediation is an area of active study for cleaning toxic soils.