Virginia Research Day 2021

Student Research Biomedical

06 Implications and Significance of Mercury in Rice

James R. Palmieri 1* ; Tracee Guthrie 1 ; Gurleen Kaur 1 ; Erin Collins 1 ; Brooke Benjamin 1 ; Jessica Brunette 1 ; McAlister Council-Troche 2 ; Meghan L Wilson 3 ; Susan Meacham 4 ; Beverly Rzigalinski 5 Corresponding author: Gkaur@vt.vcom.edu

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Virginia Campus

Existing research on rice asserts certain heavy metals, like mercury, in the agricultural soils are incorporated into the rice plant. Mercury is considered to be the most toxic heavy metal. If high levels are consumed mercury toxicity can occur, leading to chest pains, nausea, joint swelling, rash, anxiety, decreased coordination, and developmental delays. Some sources of exposure come from breastfeeding, in utero consumption due crossing the blood brain barrier. This study aims to investigate mercury levels in rice grown in the United States versus rice imported from Asia. In this study, 29 samples of rice were compared for mercury content (12 from Thailand, 6 from India, 6 from China, compared to 5 control samples from the USA). Samples ranged from 0.18 to 6.01 ng of element / g. Further research is needed to establish standards for mercury toxicity. These standards are necessary, especially for breastfeeding mothers who are exposing their children to the mercury they might be consuming on a daily basis. An exposure that has not been explored in infant development over the course of time.

The incorporation of these standards into labeling and recognition of the signs of toxicity can increase the chances of proper treatment times to avoid severe damages.

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