Cadmium and lead contents and potential health risk of brown rice (NSIC Rc222 Tubigan 18) cultivated in selected provinces in the Philippines.

Introduction: Brown rice is promoted for a healthier rice-consuming population as it renders numerous nutritional benefits due to its fiber and germ, yet may contain high concentrations of metal elements from environmental effluents. The purpose of this study is to identify the potential health risk of brown rice cultivated in different major islands in the Philippines. Methods: Concentrations of heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were investigated on brown rice of a popular modern rice variety (NSIC Rc222) cultivated from top rice-producing provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, namely Nueva Ecija, Iloilo and Bukidnon, respectively, through nonprobability sampling. Total Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Combined Total Hazard Quotient (CTHQ), as developed by US EPA, were used to calculate the potential hazard. Results: Cd levels of brown rice from different sites were found to be below the maximum level of 0.1 mg/kg. However, Pb content from all sites exceeds the 0.2 mg/kg allowable level as recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. Brown rice from Ilo-ilo had the highest Pb content while Nueva Ecija the lowest. THQ values were all below 1.0 but contribution of Pb to CTHQ was higher than that for Cd. Conclusion: The findings suggest consuming brown rice from the studied sites has low probability of inducing carcinogenic effects in the long run, but Pb has a greater contribution in the hazard risk as compared to Cd. Further studies on heavy metals especially Pb in brown rice consumed in the Philippines are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]