Investigation the Contamination of Heavy Metals Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic in High Consumption Rice Samples of Anbarbo in Some Parts of Khuzestan Province

Heavy metal pollution, is one of the most important environmental problems and one of the concerns of food hygiene. Rice, especially white rice is the most important food in the diet of people in various asian countries and is the second staple food of the people of Iran.

This study was designed to determine the concentrations of cadmium, lead and arsenic in Anbarboo rice samples in areas of Khoozestan province. Seven Anbarboo rice samples and samples of cultivated soils were collected. The samples were prepared and subjected to ICP apparatus to analyze and determine the concentrations of cadmium, lead and arsenic. The obtained data was analyzed by SPSS statistical software and compared with the national standard.

The results indicated that the mean concentrations of cadmium, lead and arsenic in the rice samples were 0.0292, 0.0075 and 0.0072 ppm respectively while the concentrations of these elements in the related soils were 0.0071, 187.09 and 16.110 ppm respectively.

It is therefore concluded that the concentrations of studied elements in the Anbarboo rice samples were less than the concentration defined by the national standard. It also may be concluded that many factors namely the nature of the soil and irrigation might affect and the concentrations of these elements in the rice samples.