Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Food Safety and Hygiene 2476-3241 11 2 2025 06 30 183 194 Soheyl Eskandari Associate Professor, Food and Drug Laboratory Research Center (FDLRC), Food and Drug Administration (IR-FDA), Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoH+ME), Tehran, Iran Alireza Bakhtiyari Food Safety and Hygiene Division, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Saeed Aghebat-Bekheir Department of Toxicology & Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Yeganeh Hamidi 4- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Modern Technologies, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Azadeh Rashidimehr 5- Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran Mahtab Mofatehi PhD student in Food Hygiene, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran 2025 09 01 2026 01 25 Abstract Background & Objectives: Rice is a major component of the human diet, and because it is widely consumed, even the slightest contamination can pose serious health risks. An assessment was carried out to measure and evaluate the levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in Iranian rice, as well as to assess the associated health risks for consumers. Materials & Methods: 41 samples of Iranian rice were purchased in Tehran city. After removing ash and preparing the samples, they were tested for lead and cadmium using a flame atomic absorption device. Arsenic levels were measured using an Arsenometer. Health risk assessment was conducted using hazard quotient and cancer risk formulas. Findings: The level of arsenic (0.16764 ± 56.84 ppm) exceeds the maximum tolerance set by the national standard of Iran. However, the levels of lead and cadmium (0.02264 ± 37.86 ppm lead and 0.1113 ± 12 ppm cadmium) are below the maximum tolerance. Although the HQ and HI for heavy metals are below one, the greatest risk is associated with arsenic. Additionally, the assessment of CR due to heavy metal exposure in children and adults is less than 10-6. Conclusion: Long-term consumption of contaminated rice may pose a risk due to the high arsenic content. Further studies are necessary to make definitive decisions and evaluate this issue comprehensively. https://jfsh.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jfsh/article/view/580