Proximate Composition and Human Health Risks from Heavy Metal Contents in Commonly Consumed Rice Varieties of Barishal District, Bangladesh

A significant issue in food safety is the depletion of vital components in rice, Bangladesh’s main agricultural product, due to various genetic and biological factors. A randomized sampling approach was employed to gather five popular rice varieties—Paijam, Swarna Bullet, BRRI Dhan-28, BRRI Dhan-29, and Chinigura—from different retail outlets in five upazilas within the Barishal district. This research focused on analyzing their proximate composition, heavy metal content, and related health risks. The proximate composition and heavy metal concentrations were assessed using AOAC methods and ICP-MS, respectively. The findings revealed notable differences (P < 0.05) in the proximate compositions among the rice types. The average TTHQ levels for both adults and children were below 10, indicating no significant non-carcinogenic health threats. However, the THQ values for Pb in the Paijam and BRRI Dhan-28 varieties exceeded 1, suggesting potential health risks for both children and adults. Conversely, in Swarna Bullet, the THQ values for Pb and Se surpassed 1, posing possible health risks for children. TR values for Pb and Cd were below 10-6 in all samples for both adults and children, indicating they are not carcinogenic. The TR value of Cr for children across all samples, and similarly, the TR values for adults in Pijam and BRRI Dhan-29, exceeded 10-6, indicating a significant carcinogenic health risk, with children being more susceptible. This suggests that individuals who frequently consume these rice varieties may face an increased risk of developing cancer in the future.