Tidal flats and wetlands in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) have
been also polluted significantly by heavy metals originating from
anthropogenic sources, such as electronic, metalwork, and mining
industries [4,12]. Most tidal flats in the estuary have been reclaimed
into croplands since the 1950s [13]. Unlike the urban population,
residents living in local countryside villages mainly consume locally
grown vegetables, fruits, and rice. However, very little attention is
given to health risks to local residents posed by heavy metals in food
crops cultivated in the reclaimed soils. Therefore, the present study