Abstract
Environmental pollution with toxic heavy metals can lead to the possible contamination of the rice. Selected metals (As, Cd, Hg and Pb) and their accumulation in rice collected from Zhejiang, China were analyzed to evaluate the potential health risk to the local adults and children. The mean levels found in rice were as follows: As, 0.080 mg/kg; Cd, 0.037 mg/kg; Hg, 0.005 mg/kg; Pb, 0.060 mg/kg. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) were calculated in combination of the rice consumption data. The mean intakes of As, Cd, Hg and Pb through rice were estimated to be 0.49, 0.23, 0.03 and 0.37 µg/kg bw/day for adults, and 0.34, 0.29, 0.04 and 0.47 µg/kg bw/day for children. The 97.5th percentile (P97.5) daily intakes of As, Cd, Hg and Pb were 1.02, 0.64, 0.37 and 1.26 µg/kg bw/day for adults, and 0.63, 0.83, 0.47 and 1.63 µg/kg bw/day for children. The risk assessment in mean levels showed that health risk associated with these elements through consumption of rice was absent. However, estimates in P97.5 level of Cd and Pb for children, and Hg for adults have exceeded the respective safe limits.
Highlights
Rice, Oryza sativa, is a major food in Asian countries, where its production constitutes over 90% of the global production [1]
Rice Consumption data The rice consumption data used in this report was extracted from the Food Consumption Survey conducted in Zhejiang province, China in 2008 by the Zhejiang Food and Drug Administration [11]
The extent of rice contamination can be evaluated by comparing with the maximum allowable concentrations (MAC) recommended by Chinese legislation [19,20]
Summary
Oryza sativa, is a major food in Asian countries, where its production constitutes over 90% of the global production [1]. The largest rice producer in the world, owns the output accounting for 30.7% of the whole [2]. In the Southern China, rice is consumed as the main staple food and a major source of nutrients for the poor who lack access to diverse foods. Concern has been raised about possible contamination of the crop by heavy metals. Fu et al [3] found the Pb with the mean level of 0.69 mg/kg in polished rice in a typical electronic waste recycling area from the southeast China. Huang et al [5] observed the high Pb level of 0.957 mg/kg in rice. All these studies indicated the possible contamination of rice by heavy metals
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