Using excess water when cooking rice removes up to 60% of arsenic. Use 12 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice. Simmer until rice is cooked. Then strain out the excess water to decrease the arsenic content and store.

Another way to decrease up to 85% of arsenic from rice is using a coffee percolator. As the cooking water continuously drips over the rice, it maximizes arsenic removal. Researchers at Queen's University Institute (Belfast) for Global Food Security have applied for a patent for a percolating rice cooker.

The U.S. ans European Union have no legal restrictions for amounts of inorganic arsenic in food. The World Health Organization recommends .2mg/km rice daily. An average serving (45g) contains between .002 to .16mg of arsenic per Kilogram of rice. Unpolished brown rice has higher levels of arsenic than WHO recommends.

Inorganic arsenic is more than twice the organic arsenic. It exists in the soil, groundwater, and drinking water. Children especially, are at risk of cancers, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. Chronic exposure for adults and children may also cause skin, bladder, and lung cancer, respiratory disease, and fetal immune disruption.

Sources: Chemical & Engineering News, Aug. 24, 2015.