Heavy Metal Contamination in Rice-Producing Soils of Hunan Province, China and Potential Health Risks

Abstract

We studied Cd, Cr, As, Ni, Mn, Pb, and Hg in three agricultural areas of Hunan province and determined the potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for residents. Soil and brown rice samples from Shimen, Fenghuang, and Xiangtan counties were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Soil levels of Cd and Hg were greatest, followed by As and Ni. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in brown rice were Cd 0.325, Cr 0.109, As 0.344, Ni 0.610, Mn 9.03, Pb 0.023, and Hg 0.071 mg/kg, respectively. Cd and Hg had greater transfer ability from soil to rice than the other elements. Daily intake of heavy metals through brown rice consumption were estimated to be Cd 2.30, Cr 0.775, As 2.45, Ni 4.32, Pb 0.162, Mn 64.6 and Hg 0.503 µg/(kg·day), respectively. Cd, Hg and As Hazard Quotient values were greater than 1 and Cd, Cr, As and Ni Cancer Risk values were all greater than 10−4. The total non-carcinogenic risk factor was 14.6 and the total carcinogenic risk factor was 0.0423. Long-term exposure to heavy metals through brown rice consumption poses both potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to the local residents.

Arsenic speciation in locally grown rice grains from Hunan Province, China: Spatial distribution and potential health risk

“…The average body weight and rice consumption rate of an adult in Hunan Province were 58.1 kg and 0.425 kg/day, respectively (Zeng et al, 2015). SF and RfD employed in this study were obtained from the USEPA and the values were 1.5 × 10 − 3 (BWkg·day/μg) and 0.3 (μg/BWkg·day), respectively (USEPA, 2013).…”

“…The non-carcinogenic risk assessment for local residents was characterized by the index of HQ. Potential adverse impact on human health would occur when HQ ≥ 1 (Zeng et al, 2015). The HQs of iAs through rice consumption for people resided in Hunan Province was 2.73 suggesting high potential non-carcinogenic risk from rice intake.…”

Antiscattering X-ray fluorescence analysis for large-area samples

“…The present experimental scheme was developed for antiscattering XRF analysis of large-area samples. It is suitable for many practical applications such as the survey of elemental impurities in pharmaceuticals 27 and heavy metal contaminants in soil, 28,29 agriculture products, 30 and marine products. 31 The technique of XRF analysis is adopted for easy sample preparation and rapid sample screening.…”

Effective Amendments on Cadmium, Arsenic, Chromium and Lead Contaminated Paddy Soil for Rice Safety

“…The co-exposure of crops to HMs may exhibit more toxicity than individual HMs [20,21]. The soil of Liuyang city, Hunan province, which has been reported contaminated with HMs, was used in these experiments [22]. The soil of several regions in China has been reported to be contaminated with HMs [23,24].…”