Arsenic (As) contamination of communal tubewells in Prey Vêng, Cambodia, has been observed since
2000. Many of these wells exceed the WHO As in drinking water standard of 10 g/L by a factor of
100. The aim of this study was to assess how cooking water source impacts dietary As intake in a rural
community in Prey Vêng. This aim was fulfilled by (1) using geostatistical analysis techniques to examine
the extent of As contaminated groundwater in Prey Vêng and identify a suitable study site, (2) conducting
an on-site study in two villages to measure As content in cooked rice prepared with water collected from
tubewells and locally harvested rainwater, and (3) determining the dietary intake of As from consuming
this rice. Geostatistical analysis indicated that high risk tubewells (>50 g As/L) are concentrated along
the Mekong River’s east bank. Participants using high risk tubewells are consuming up to 24 times more
inorganic As daily than recommended by the previous FAO/WHO provisional tolerable daily intake value
(2.1 g/kgBW/day). However, As contentin rice cooked in rainwater was significantly reduced,therefore,
it is considered to be a safer and more sustainable option for this region.