Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Fe, Zn, As, Cd and Pb Concentration in Selected Asian Rice Grain (Oryza sativa)

Kok Weng Tan ,Eu Han Khaw

doi:10.5296/emsd.v9i4.17952

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the concentration of chemical elements in food grains (Oryza Sativa). A total of eight brands of rice grains was selected which are commonly sold in major hypermarkets in Malaysia. The selection was based on the countries of origin (COO) namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan and Taiwan. A total of 16 rice grain samples included both polished and unpolished rice grains in order to determine the concentration of Fe, Zn, As, Cd and Pb. From the laboratory result, it was found that the concentration of Fe, Zn, As, Cd and Pb was ranged from 0.067-14.446 mgkg‑1, 0.308-12.335 mgkg‑1, 0.000-0.048 mgkg‑1, 0.000-0.604 mgkg‑1 and 0.000-0.418 mgkg‑1 respectively. The rice grains samples from Vietnam, China and Cambodia showed that carcinogenic cancer risk for both adults and infants’ group (Cumulative lifetime cancer risk, CLCR >1x10-4).

Highlights

Rice grain is a staple food for a large portion of people in the world especially those living inAsia and it has a very high potential to be affected by contamination through air, water and soil (Hoornweg et al, 2013)
The selection was based on the countries of origin (COO) namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan and Taiwan
The average for selected elements concentration found in polished and unpolished rice grain collected from eight countries (Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan) are shown in Table 4 - 5 respectively

Summary

Introduction

Rice grain is a staple food for a large portion of people in the world especially those living inAsia and it has a very high potential to be affected by contamination through air, water and soil (Hoornweg et al, 2013). Heavy metals contamination by Cd, Pb, Zn and Cr are serious environmental problem which are caused by numerous anthropogenic activities (Tan et al 2018). These chemical elements capable to pose a danger to human health since they are non-biodegradable, can be accumulated and can enter the human body through the food chain (NCBI 2015; Kong et al, 2018). Heavy metals which are classified as carcinogenic elements are those that have the potential to induce tumours when they get into the body through various pathways such as ingestion. Other non-carcinogenic heavy metals can cause other health problems even though they do not cause cancer if they present in large quantities. Highly concentrated copper may lead to chronic toxicity in body which cause heart problems, jaundice, coma and even death (NCR, 2000)

Methods

Results

Conclusion