Monitoring and health risk assessment of selected trace metals in wheat rice and soil samples

Abstract Wheat and rice constitute important cereal crops and any contamination may pose potential adverse impacts on human health. The study was conducted to determine eight trace metals, i.e. cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel(Ni), manganese (Mn), in wheat, rice and soil samples collected from different cities of Punjab. Results showed general trend of trace element accumulation in samples as Cd >Cu>Zn>Co>Mn. All wheat and nine rice samples exceeded permissible limit of Cd. Copper in eight wheat and rice samples and Zn levels in three wheat and one rice samples were in excess. While only one soil sample of Multan exceeded the WHO 2007 and EU 200 0 maximum allowable limit for Cu. Manganese and Co concentration were within allowable limit, while Ni, Cr and Pb were not detected in any sample. Health Risk Index was higher than 1 for Cu, Cd, Co and Mn thereby showing potential health risks to consumers.