Concentration of cadmium, arsenic, and lead in rice (Oryza sativa) and probabilistic health risk assessment: A case study in Hormozgan province, Iran

Abstract

Background: The presence of toxic heavy metals in cereal grains like rice is one of the main human and environmental health concerns. Their importance is because of their non-biodegradability nature, high half-time, and bioaccumulation ability in the human body. Among heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) are most critical, so their concentrations in rice were evaluated in this study. Methods: In this study, the concentration of Cd and Pb was determined by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (GF-AAS), while the concentration of As was measured by atomic spectrum poll after acid digestion of the milled rice samples. The probabilistic health risk assessment of Cd, As, and Pb through consumption of different types of rice including local rice and two types imported from India (IND) and Pakistan (PAK), was estimated for the adults in Hormozgan province using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) technique. Results: It was revealed that the concentrations of all Cd, As, and Pb in the local rice samples were lower than those in the PAK and IND samples. The average concentration of As, Pb, and Cd in the rice samples were 0.045, 0.057, and 0.022 mg/kg, respectively. The estimated total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) for this population was lower than 1, representing negligible non-carcinogenic risk through rice consumption. However, total carcinogenic risk (TCR) via As intake showed a considerable carcinogenic risk (TCR > 1E-4) for this population. Conclusion: According to the results, it is necessary to perform continuous monitoring for concentration of Cd, As, and Pb especially in the imported rice samples.

Impact of Heavy Metals Toxicity on Children and Adults from Local Rice Varieties of Northern Nigeria

“…This study showed that Cd was present in very low concentrations in all the local rice varieties, with STN (0.064 mg/kg) having the highest concentration and KW, and SP having the lowest concentration. The levels of Cd in this study were lower than 0.07 mg/kg, as reported by Wang et al [19] for irrigated rice samples and Rezaei et al [20] for rice samples from various countries (mg/kg): Korea (0.08), Brazil (1.60), Saudi Arabia (6.16) and China (0.23). The samples Cd were also lower than the 0.2 mg/kg permissible limit set by European Union [12], the Chinese regulatory agency [21] and WHO/FAO [22].…”

Association of urinary triclosan and methyl-triclosan levels with predictive indicators of cardiovascular disease and obesity in children and adolescents in 2020 (case study: Kerman, Iran)

“…Many studies related to biomonitoring in human samples have been performed in Iran (19)(20)(21)(22). But to date, no studies have been performed on the exposure to TCS and MTCS in children and adolescents in Iran.…”