A review of heavy metals in rice (Oryza sativa) of Iran

With attention to high public concern to dietary intakes of heavy metals from various foods and rice as one of the main food of the people in the Iran, the aim of this study was to survey heavy metals in rice samples of Iran. Based on obtained results, among the metals in some Iranian cultivated rice samples, cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) concentrations were higher than national standard of Iran. But, totally in Iran, average weekly intake for Cd, As, Pb, cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) were lower than the maximum weekly intake recommended by WHO/FAO. However, the average weekly intake amount for Hg from rice in Iran is higher than the maximum weekly intake recommended by WHO/FAO.