Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Iranian and Non-Iranian Rice Supplied by Shopping Centers of Kashan, Iran

Heavy metals in the environment are toxic to plants, animals and human. This study aimed to investigate concentration of Arsenic, Lead and Cadmium in Iranian and non-Iranian rice which have been sold in Kashan City, Iran shops. In this cross-sectional study, 126 samples from 42 trademarks (15 Iranian and 27 non-Iranian) rice were collected from Kashan shopping centers. At first each sample was ashed, and then they have been dissolved with nitric acid. Heavy metal concentration was evaluated by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using One-sample and Independent T-tests. Arsenic was not found in any of rice samples. There was a significant difference between Pb concentration in both Iranian and non-Iranian rice samples. There was not a significance difference between Cd concentration in Iranian (p=0.823) and non-Iranian (p=0.346) rice samples according to Iran national standards but there was a significant difference between Cd concentration in both Iranian (p=0.001) and non-Iranian (p=0.001) rice samples according to WHO and FAO standards. Consumed rice pollution with Pb is considerable but with Cd is low. Arsenic concentration in Iranian and non-Iranian rice is less than Iran national and WHO/FAO standards.