Intake amount of heavy metal elements and health and safety assessments—A case study of the Dongting Lake area, Hunan

Contents of heavy metal elements in food are directly related to human health and social stability and development and are important reflection of food safety. Based on 180 sets of rice samples and 120 pieces of vegetable samples collected systematically from a grain-producing area of the Tongting Lake, the authors analyzed and evaluated the distribution and safety of some heavy metal elements such as Cd, Hg, Pb and As by using the state relevant standards. Study shows that the daily intake amounts of Hg and Pb in rice-dominant food per person do not reach the limit values of Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADI). So the food is relatively safe. However, the safety of food containing Cd makes one worried. In fact, the percentage of green food in rice in the study area is just 60%. The situation of food safety in the study area is not optimistic. So it is necessary to take effective measures to reduce the risk of heavy metals and guarantee human health.