Heavy Metals in Grains from Jilin Province, China, and Human Health Risk

Abstract

Heavy metals are an indispensable part of industrial and agricultural development. As the cradle of China's industry and an important province for agricultural production, Jilin Province has been an area of concern about heavy metal pollution in the local environment and grains. In this study, we focused on four heavy metals that are harmful to humans: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), methylmercury (MeHg), and inorganic arsenic (iAs). We determined the contents of these metals in 341 grain samples by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and liquid chromatography-atomic fluorescence spectrometry and compared our results with the limit value of national standards. To evaluate the potential risk to human health, we determined the target hazard quotient and hazard index. Heavy metals were detected at these rates, from high to low: Cd (48%) > iAs (20.8%) > MeHg (4.6%) > Pb (3%). Most of these values are far below the limit of national standards. The target hazard quotient and hazard index were both smaller than 1; thus, we conclude that heavy metal pollution in grains in Jilin Province is not serious and that people are not at high risk from heavy metals in grains.