Assessing Health Risks from Heavy Metals and Arsenic in Polished Rice: A Focus on the South Bengal Region, India

This study investigates the presence of arsenic and other heavy metals in polished rice from regions of West Bengal, India, traditionally not known for arsenic contamination. Given the significant health risks posed by heavy metal contamination, this research provides critical insights into the quality of polished rice available in Kolkata, Purulia, and Birbhum districts. Polished rice samples were collected from Kolkata, Purulia, and Birbhum districts to evaluate the quality of polished rice by examining heavy metal contamination within the food chain. Using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), it was found that 98% of rice samples were contaminated with arsenic, with concentrations ranging from 0.163 to 0.986 mg/kg. Additionally, the concentrations of chromium, lead, and cadmium exceeded the maximum permissible limits. The study also assessed the incremental cancer risk and hazard index for adults and children using the Monte Carlo simulation technique. The results indicated that, compared to the lower risk threshold set by the USEPA, the risk is 2–13 times higher for males, 2–16 times higher for females, and 0.45–2 times higher for children. The hazard index was greater than 1 for both adults and children. Finally, the presence of heavy metals and arsenic was confirmed through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) analyses. From a societal perspective, this study enhances understanding of arsenic contamination in locally sourced polished rice, potentially mitigating health risks for communities of West Bengal.