A Framework for Heavy Metal Prioritization and Mitigation for Reducing Metal Intake: Rice and Spinach Case Studies

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Heavy Metal Risk and Mitigation in Rice and Spinach

A Framework for Heavy Metal Prioritization and Mitigation for Reducing Metal Intake: Rice and Spinach Case Studies

Rice is a potentially significant source of arsenic and other elemental toxins (e.g. mercury and cadmium) to the human diet, particularly in foods for youth. These metals are unintended contaminants that arise from agricultural soils or other environmental sources. Spinach is a significant source of the highly toxic metals cadmium and lead as well as other chemicals with negative health implications (e.g., organics, perchlorate), but the processes that lead to levels of concern in spinach differ from those in rice.

This project aimed to design an adaptive, multi-part scoring system as the basis for prioritization of mitigation factors. This system accounts for differences in commodities, metal combinations, soil-plant interactions and geochemistry, processing methods, and impact of these terms on the mean and variability of the metal concentrations of interest.

This project assessed approaches to mitigation, helping prioritize methods that are both effective and achievable. In both risk and mitigation assessments, results highlighted research gaps, new research and action priorities, and proposed a ranked and detailed set of possible solutions.

The Food and Chemical Safety Committee focuses on many different issues related to the safety of the food supply. To deliver output and impact, the committee works in subgroups focused on specific areas of food and chemical safety. See recent publications and upcoming events to learn more about the committee’s work.

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Project Investigators

Benjamin Runkle, PhD

University of Arkansas

Open Science

Aligned with IAFNS’ commitment to open science practices, this project has been added to the IAFNS Collection on the Open Science Framework. Note: this link redirects you to an external website.

Publications

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