Human Dietary Exposure to Heavy Metals via Rice in Nepal

Yuxiao Shao, Xiaohang Xu, Le Wang, Jialiang Han, Hem Bahadur Katuwal, Shulin Jiao () and Guangle Qiu
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Yuxiao Shao: School of Geography and Environmental Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China
Xiaohang Xu: State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
Le Wang: State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
Jialiang Han: State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
Hem Bahadur Katuwal: Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla 666303, China
Shulin Jiao: School of Geography and Environmental Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China
Guangle Qiu: State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-13

Abstract: The effects of exposure to heavy metals (HMs) in rice on human health have become a global public health concern, particularly in countries where rice is consumed as a staple food. The concentrations of HMs, including cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu), in commercial rice samples (n = 170) were analyzed to estimate the HM exposure of consumers in Nepal. The geometric mean concentrations of Cd, As, Pb, and Cu in commercial rice were 15.5 ± 16.0, 43.4 ± 19.6, 16.0 ± 14.0, and 1066 ± 1210 μg/kg, respectively, all below the maximum allowable concentrations (MACs) recommended by FAO/WHO. Generally, the average estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of Cd, As, Pb, and Cu were all below the oral reference doses (RfDs). However, young age groups were exposed to high levels of HMs, and the average EDI of As and the P99.9 EDIs of Cu and Cd were above the corresponding RfDs. The mean hazard index and total carcinogenic risk were 1.13 and 1.04 × 10 −3 respectively, suggesting a potential non-carcinogenic risk (NCR) and a carcinogenic risk (CR) via rice consumption. Arsenic contributed the most strongly to NCR and Cd to CR. Overall, although the HM levels in rice were generally safe, the Nepalese population may be exposed to an elevated health risk from rice consumption.

Keywords: heavy metals; rice; Monte Carlo simulation; estimated daily intake; vulnerable population; Nepal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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