Assessment of Potential Health Risks Caused by Heavy Metal Accumulation in Rice Crops of Ramhormoz Farms, Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Environment Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran

2 Department of Environment Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

Abstract

Objective: Given that rice is one of the most important food sources for humans, monitoring contaminants in this crop is essential to safeguarding consumer health. Due to the expansion of vast rice cultivation areas across various parts of Ramhormoz, Iran, it is necessary to conduct a health risk assessment of heavy metals in irrigation water sources and rice products.
Method: To determine the concentration of heavy metals, three composite samples were collected from each of the irrigation water sources, including wells, springs, and rivers, as well as from the rice products irrigated by each of the mentioned water resources separately. Subsequently, all water samples were digested with 65% nitric acid and the rice samples were digested with 70% perchloric acid, sulfuric acid, and 70% nitric acid, and analyzed by an atomic absorption spectrometer. The health risk index was applied to determine the impact of heavy metals on consumer health.
Results: The results showed that the highest average concentrations of heavy metals in river water samples were as follows: cadmium (0.049 mg/L), lead (0.149 mg/L), zinc (0.304 mg/L), and iron (76.150 mg/L). There was a significant difference at the 1% level between cadmium levels in well water and river water samples compared to the WHO standard (0.01 mg/L). For this metal, there was also a significant difference at the 5% level in spring and well water samples compared to global standard levels. Also, there was a significant difference at the 1% level for Lead in spring and river water samples compared to the global standard (0.05 mg/L) and for zinc in well, spring, and river water samples compared to the global standard (5 mg/L). There is a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the level of iron metal in the water of these three water sources compared to the World Health Organization's standard.
Comparison of the water samples obtained from these three sources to the global standard indicated that the highest average concentrations of these metals in rice irrigated with river water were: cadmium (0.0030 mg/kg), lead (0.279 mg/kg), zinc (0.963 mg/kg), and iron (317.25 mg/kg). According to the results, the average daily intake of elements and the health risk index indicated that in all samples, the health index for Lead for children was above one, which was deemed hazardous for consumption.
Conclusions: According to the results of the present study, the main reason for the high concentration of the heavy metals was found to be the discharge of wastewater from agricultural lands and various surrounding industries into water resources in the region. Therefore, given the presence of certain heavy metals in the rice crop and the high health risk index, its consumption, particularly for children, should be restricted.

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References

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Journal of Environmental Studies
Volume 51, Issue 1
June 2025
Pages 59-73

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