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Bioaccessibility and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Commercially Available Rice from Central Iran:
Fatemeh Mohebbi1, Elahe Noruzzade2, Fahimeh Karamali3
1Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Biological Trace Element Research
|June 22, 2026
Summary
Rice from Kashan, Iran, contains high cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) levels, exceeding safety limits. However, low metal bioaccessibility in digestion suggests reduced health risks for consumers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Food Safety
- Toxicology
Background:
- Rice is a staple food globally, and its contamination with heavy metals like cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) is a significant food safety concern.
- Previous studies have highlighted the presence of heavy metals in food products, necessitating comprehensive risk assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify total concentrations of Cd, Pb, and As in commercial rice varieties from Kashan, Iran.
- To assess the in vitro bioaccessibility of these heavy metals using a gastrointestinal digestion model.
- To evaluate potential human health risks associated with rice consumption.
Main Methods:
- Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used for elemental analysis.
- An in vitro digestion model simulating human gastrointestinal conditions was employed to determine metal bioaccessibility.
- Health risk assessment was performed using Hazard Quotients (HQ) and Lifetime Cancer Risk (LCR) calculations.
Main Results:
- Cd levels exceeded FAO/WHO limits but were near Iranian standards. Pb concentrations surpassed both national and international limits. As levels were below permissible thresholds.
- In vitro bioaccessibility varied: Cd (29%-55%), Pb (38%-43%), and As (42%-61%).
- Health risk assessment indicated Hazard Quotients (HQ) below 1 for all metals, suggesting no significant non-carcinogenic risk. Lifetime Cancer Risk (LCR) for Cd and As were within acceptable ranges.
Conclusions:
- Despite total Cd and Pb concentrations exceeding regulatory standards in rice from Kashan, their low bioaccessibility significantly mitigates potential health risks.
- The study underscores the importance of considering bioaccessibility in heavy metal risk assessments for food safety.
- Findings suggest that typical consumption patterns of this rice may not pose a significant health threat due to reduced metal bioavailability.
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