Large scale use of groundwater for irrigation which is often Arsenic laden, during past two decades, has given rise
to the apprehension that this may be resulting in higher Arsenic intake through the food chain. This work was undertaken to
determine the trend of average Arsenic exposure of the population in Bangladesh during the period 1990-2010. Based on
available data on individual food items, an average estimate of the level of both total and inorganic Arsenic intakes through
food chain in Bangladesh have been made using the market basket approach; which is a widely used protocol for such work.
The results have been discussed in the light of available information in literature. The results obtained show no significant
change in the average intake of inorganic Arsenic during the period. The level of total Arsenic exposure does not also show
statistically significant increase in uptake during the study period. Consequently, it is concluded that no restriction is needed on
the use of groundwater in irrigation from Arsenic exposure risk consideration of the population. Now that there is no WHO
recommended tolerable limit for intake of Arsenic, nationally acceptable limits have to be determined probably by considering
cost-benefit analysis.