Fluoride partitioning in rice (Oryza sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) upon irrigation with fluoride‐contaminated water and its risk assessment

Abstract

Fluoride (F) contamination has become a global environmental problem affecting more than 25 countries and the cure of the associated disease “fluorosis” is not yet known. Now it has been realized that a sizable amount of F intake also takes place through the ingestion of food. Therefore, F partitioning in rice (Oryza sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) and its exposure in human was evaluated under pot culture experiment using Fâ€contaminated irrigation water. In both rice and wheat, F accumulation in the tissue parts of plant followed the order: grain < straw < root. The grain of rice and wheat contained F between 11.51 and 22.55 mg kgâ€1 and 11.56 and 15.43 mg kgâ€1, respectively in the treatment range of 0 †8 mg F lâ€1. The cumulative EDI calculated at the maximum F concentration in rice and wheat grains for children, sedentary men and women was found to be higher than the limits stipulated by Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), USA. In conclusion, the fluoride poses potential health risks to humans due to the consumption of F contaminated rice and wheat, children being more susceptible/affected than the sedentary adult ones. Therefore, a constant surveillance and monitoring program is highly warranted for determining the human health risk by considering F exposure due to various sources viz., ingestion, drinking water, water used in cooking and other dietary sources.