Arsenic Levels in Soil and Rice and Health Risk Assessment via Rice Consumption in Industrial Areas of East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Industrial use of arsenic can potentially cause environmental problems in water, soil, and air. Arsenic is one of heavy metals that is highly toxic and carcinogenic. Arsenic contamination in the environment is harmful to human health because it can enter the body through the food chain. This study determined the concentration of arsenic in soil and rice and its impact on human health risks. Sampling was carried out in several East Java industrial cities or districts, for instance, Gresik, Mojokerto, Sidoarjo, Nganjuk, Ponorogo, and Surabaya. The measurement of arsenic in soil was done using Energy Dispersive X-Ray fluorescence (EDXRF), while the measurement of arsenic in rice was done by Total X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF). The results showed that arsenic concentration in several areas of East Java has varying levels. The concentration of arsenic in soil was highest in Gresik (13,786 mg/kg). The highest arsenic concentration in rice was found in Mojokerto (0.154 mg/kg). The results of risk assessment in this study showed that the Hazard Quotient (HQ) value was >1 and the Excess Cancer Risk (ECR) was >10-4 in all areas at the age of children <2 years. Health risk assessment of adults showed HQ>1 and ECR>10-4 in several areas of East Java. This indicates that consumption of rice contaminated with arsenic has the potential to pose non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks.