Abstract: Accumulation of Cu, Zn, Pb, As and Cd in rice of 21 cultivars, including hybrid, conventional and glutinous rice, was studied through a field experiment laid out in the paddy fields around the Dabaoshan MiningArea in Guangdong Province and its human health risks are analyzed. Results show that in accordance with the criteria in the China National Hygienic Standard for Food, the over2limit rate of Cd and Pb in rice was very high, being 100% and 71.43% , respectively, whereas that of Cu and As was only 4.76% and 14.29% higher, respectively, and that of Zn negative. Among the cultivars, conventional and glutinous riceswere more capable of accumulating Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd, while hybrid rice more of accumulating As. Negative relationships were observed between the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, As and Cd in rice grains and the biomass of the whole p lant. In terms of p lant accumulation of the five metals by the rice cultivars in the experiment, they followed the the sequence of Cd > Zn >Cu >As > Pb. The findings of the research indicate that Cd and Pb in the soil of the experiment posed serious potential health risks, where Cu, Zn and Asminor ones. It is, therefore, essential to pay high attention to the issue of Cd and Pb pollution of rice p roduced in the Dabaoshan MiningArea and its associated potential risk to human health of the rice consumers.

Key words: heavymetal, rice, concentration, variety, cultivar, health risk, mining area