Determination and estimation of Cadmium intake from Tarom rice

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most well-known environmental intoxicants to humans. Its entrance to food chain causes the serious damage in humans. One of the major sources of Cadmium intake is rice for rice eating countries such as Iran. Cadmium in rice comes from soil through plant roots. Thus, Rice may be the best indicator for the environment monitoring of Cadmium especially in rice eating countries. The aims of this study were to determine of Cd contents in tarom rice and to assess Cadmium intake from rice. A total of 60 samples were collected from four areas of Qaemshahr region in Mazandaran province (North of Iran). The samples were collected in during harvesting of rice in filed. Rice samples were digested by acid digestion method and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer. To assess the daily intake of Cd by rice, from daily consumption of rice was calculated. The results showed that average concentration of Cd in rice was 0.41±0.17 mg/kg dry wt. Notably the Cd content in the rice samples was found to be upper the FAO/WHO Guidelines. Also weekly intake of Cd from rice was upper than the maximum weekly intake recommended by WHO/FAO. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 10(3) 2006: 147-150