Consumption of food crops contaminated with heavy metals is the most pressing concerns for food security and human health. A comprehensive analysis of heavy metal bioconcentrations in different plant organs can provide a basis for adjusting crop planting structure to reduce the migration of heavy metals from soil to crop. In this study, the concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb in the soil and rice from paddy fields in the Naoli River Basin were determined, and the health risks associated with the rice ingestion were also assessed. We found that the soil contaminated with heavy metals was at moderate pollution level and ecological risk. Most heavy metals, including Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb, mainly accumulated in the root of rice. All the rice organs exhibited weak abilities to accumulate Pb, whereas the root, stem, and leaf had the strongest abilities to accumulate As, and grain had the strongest ability to accumulate Zn. The concentrations of Ni and As in the rice grain samples partially exceeded the permitted concentrations. The non-carcinogenic risk of As was considered significant, and its target hazard quotient values for both children and adults were > 1. The target carcinogenic risk values of Ni, As, and Cr for both children and adults were > 1×10⁻⁴, indicating their potential carcinogenic risks. The findings provide important information for decision-makers to ensure food crop safety production and environmental management.

Graphical abstract