To investigate and analyze of the chromium contamination in rice and to assess the health risk in Guangzhou City.Methods Contents of total chromium and hexavalent chromium in rice from Guangzhou were determined using microwave extraction, ion exchange column separation and graphite furnace atomic absorption, then assessed according to the national standard. Using dietary nutrition and health status of Guangdong Province from 2002 survey, chromium exposure and health risk of different population were evaluated with reference to the maximum level of total chromium form the Chinese nutrition society and the U.S.EPA guidelines for cancer risk evaluation. Results Total chromium and hexavalent chromium in rice were 100% detected, violation rate of total chromium were 26.67%. The health risk was lower than Chinese Nutrition Society and U.S.EPA guideline in adult population, while health risk in low-income people and children under the age of 14 were higher than the EPA guideline.Conclusion Rice in Guangzhou was contaminated by certain amount of chromium. The health risk was low in adults, but there might be a potential hazards to children under 14 years old. The government should take effective measures to prevent the chromium contamination in rice.