“…Phosphate fertilizers as well include heavy metals and arsenic (Jayasumana et al 2015a , b , c , d ). In Sri Lanka, some reports the presence of Pb and Cr in rice and Cd and Cr in water (Fernando et al 2018 ; 2020 ). A limited study in 2012–2013 carried out in the North Central Province, Sri Lanka on the presence of heavy metals and trace elements biological samples (blood and hair) and environmental samples (rice, freshwater fish, soil and drinking water) revealed low-level exposure of Pb, Cd, and Hg of biological samples and exceeding concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Se in soil as compared to mean background US criteria, while the concentrations of F, Fe, Mn, Na and Pb in drinking water samples exceeded the values recommended by the WHO.…”