Leila Rezaei - ۱Islamic Azad University, International Branch of Qeshm, Qeshm Island, Iran
Vali Alipour - Corresponding author: Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Parisa Sharafi - Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Hamidreza Ghaffari - Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Amene Nematollahi - Department of Food Safety and Hygiene, School of Health, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
Vida Pesarakloo - Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
Yadolah Fakhri - Food Health Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran

Background: The presence of toxic heavy metals in cereal grains like rice is one of the main human and environmental health concerns. Their importance is because of their non-biodegradability nature, high half-time, and bioaccumulation ability in the human body. Among heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) are most critical, so their concentrations in rice were evaluated in this study.  Methods: In this study, the concentration of Cd and Pb was determined by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (GF-AAS), while the concentration of As was measured by atomic spectrum poll after acid digestion of the milled rice samples. The probabilistic health risk assessment of Cd, As, and Pb through consumption of different types of rice including local rice and two types imported from India (IND) and Pakistan (PAK), was estimated for the adults in Hormozgan province using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) technique.  Results: It was revealed that the concentrations of all Cd, As, and Pb in the local rice samples were lower than those in the PAK and IND samples. The average concentration of As, Pb, and Cd in the rice samples were ۰.۰۴۵, ۰.۰۵۷, and ۰.۰۲۲ mg/kg, respectively. The estimated total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) for this population was lower than ۱, representing negligible non-carcinogenic risk through rice consumption. However, total carcinogenic risk (TCR) via As intake showed a considerable carcinogenic risk (TCR > ۱E-۴) for this population.  Conclusion: According to the results, it is necessary to perform continuous monitoring for concentration of Cd, As, and Pb especially in the imported rice samples.

Heavy metal poisoning, Oryza, Environmental pollution, Monte Carlo method