Measurement / residue studyindependent cross-checkabstract checked I-CHK-126 standard review
Arsenic feed drugs found in most Chinese market chicken
Arsanilic acid contributes more to total arsenic than roxarsone in chicken meat from Chinese markets.
Overview
Zhao D et al.. J Hazard Mater 2020 · PMID 31525688 · DOI 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121178
Organoarsenical drugs were detected in over 90% of tested Chinese chicken samples and raised inorganic arsenic.
Does the study support the specific claim? Yes · Methodological quality: moderate
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
How much arsenic and which species are in Chinese market chicken, and what is the cancer risk?
- How was the study done?
Market-basket exposure measurement with speciation, 10 Chinese cities
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
249 paired raw/cooked samples; 81 speciated
- What was actually found?
Total As GM 4.85 (raw) and 7.27 ug/kg fw (cooked). ASA and ROX detected in >90% of 81 paired samples. ASA contributed about 45% of total As in cooked samples. Higher inorganic As in cities with higher ROX and ASA. Estimated +3.2 bladder and lung cancer cases per 100,000 adults.
- How large was the observed effect?
Total As GM 4.85 (raw) and 7.27 ug/kg fw (cooked). ASA and ROX detected in >90% of 81 paired samples. ASA contributed about 45% of total As in cooked samples. Higher inorganic As in cities with higher ROX and ASA. Estimated +3.2 bladder and lung cancer cases per 100,000 adults.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Arsenical feed drugs were used beyond the USA and raised arsenic slightly; the estimated cancer risk is small.
- What are the study's limitations?
Risk estimate model-based; Ecological comparison between cities
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports the claim outside the US; risk small in absolute terms.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Not authorised in the EU.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Current Chinese practice after the study not assessed.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Zhao D et al.
- Journal
- J Hazard Mater
- Year
- 2020
- Identifier
- PMID 31525688 DOI 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121178
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-26; Crossref 2026-10-26
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
not stated in abstract
2. Research question
How much arsenic and which species are in Chinese market chicken, and what is the cancer risk?
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Measurement / residue study – Market-basket exposure measurement with speciation, 10 Chinese cities
- Population
Raw and cooked chicken meat
- Country
China
- Period
not stated
- Sample size
249 paired raw/cooked samples; 81 speciated
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
as described in the abstract
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Organoarsenical feed additives (ASA, ROX)
- Comparator
Cities with lower organoarsenical levels
- Endpoints
Total and species-specific arsenic; incremental cancer risk
- Statistical methods
as reported in the abstract
5. Actual results
- Results
Total As GM 4.85 (raw) and 7.27 ug/kg fw (cooked). ASA and ROX detected in >90% of 81 paired samples. ASA contributed about 45% of total As in cooked samples. Higher inorganic As in cities with higher ROX and ASA. Estimated +3.2 bladder and lung cancer cases per 100,000 adults.
- Absolute risks
not reported
- Authors' conclusion
Organoarsenical use increased iAs in chicken; supports removal of organoarsenicals from Chinese and global markets.
6. Strengths
- Speciation analysis
- Multi-city sampling
7. Weaknesses
- Risk estimate model-based
- Ecological comparison between cities
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- none applicable
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
Exposure study.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Replicates the US finding (A-CHK-04) in another country with a similar small absolute risk estimate.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Shows the practice and its effect on inorganic arsenic beyond the USA.
11. Independent contrary findings
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
13. Overall methodological judgement
Organoarsenical drugs were detected in over 90% of tested Chinese chicken samples and raised inorganic arsenic.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | moderate |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | moderate |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | low |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
15. Linked fact checks
- Chickens were fed arsenical drugs (roxarsone) that raise carcinogenic inorganic arsenic in chicken meat and in consumers. – Studies supporting the claim