Objective To explore the effects of lower concentrations of rare earth elements in environment on human health. Methods The representative well water samples, soil samples and vegetable samples were selected near the rare earth ore and non_rare earth ore. The contents of La and other 15 kinds of rare earth elements were determined by ICP_MS. Results The total contents of rare earth elements were 9.18 ?g/L for well water samples, 869.73 ?g/g for soil samples, 6 370.35 ng/g (dry weight) for vegetable samples respectively near the countryside of rare earth elements ore, which were all higher than those in non_rare earth elements. Conclusion Human health might be affected by rare earth elements in drinking water and foods in rare earth ore.