ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN PADDY SOIL AND THEIR POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS BY CONSUMPTION OF RICE FROM PENANG, MALAYSIA

Unchecked developments of heavy metal producing industries, which in turn poison soil and agricultural commodities, have raised many red flags. In this research, the presence and build up of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in rice (Oryza sativa) and corresponding soil samples collected from Penang, Malaysia, were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) to assess the Transfer Factor (TF) of metals from soil to rice, as well as the possibility and extent of harm that can be caused to the natives. It was revealed that majority of soil samples contained heavy metals under the permissible limit set by Environmental Quality Standard for Soils in Malaysia. Nevertheless, 13%, 22% and 39% of the study area is correspondingly tainted with Cr, Mn, and Zn. A risk assessment of heavy metals was conducted by studying the intake of rice by mature natives. It was hence concluded that the hazard quotient value (HQ) of each metal as well as the hazard index (HI) of all these metals were still within their safe limits.