Study of the Amount of Pb, Cd and Cr in Imported Indian Rice to Iran and Tarom rice Produced in the Province of Golestan

Background and Heavy metal pollution has always been a major cause of environmental contamination and is considered as a major concern for food health. Rice is the most popular food among Iranians and the presence of heavy metals in trace level in rice has received special attention because they are directly related to health. In this study، the amount of Pb، Cd and Cr in Tarom rice farms in the province of Golestan was determined and compared with imported Indian rice in this province. Ten famous brands of Indian Rice were bought from market of this province as were coded from 1to 10. From the cities of Golestan including Gorgan، Ali Abad، Maraveh-Tapeh، Minoodasht، Gonbad and Galikesh based on the geographical location of each city، 20 rice samples were collected. The concentration of heavy metals in samples was measured using atomic absorption technique. Our data showed that generally the amount of Pb، Cd and Cr in Iranian rice were 0. 32±0. 09 ppm، 17±0. 5ppm and 17±0. 10 ppm، respectively and 0. 33±0. 19ppm، 0. 04±0. 02 ppm and 0. 28±0. 11ppmwere observed for concentration of Pb، Cd and Cr in Indian rice، respectively. There was no significant difference (P>0. 05) between the amount of lead in Iranian Rice and Indian Rice. However، the amount of cd in Iranian rice was significantly more than the Indian rice. One the other hand، the amount of Cr in Indian rice was significantly (P<0. 001) more than the Iranian rice. Considering the aforesaid findings، it seems that the difference between Indian and Iranian rice is mainly related to the amount of Cr and Cd but there was no difference in the amount of Pb in both samples. So، it is recommended that in accordance to the adverse effects of chronic exposure to heavy metals، the amount of heavy metals and weekly intake of them via other agricultural products such as vegetables should be evaluated periodically.