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In order to evaluate the status of heavy metal pollution on marine economic shellfish in eastern Guangdong and the intake of health risk, the contents of lead(Pb), cadmium(Cd), chromium(Cr), copper(Cu), zinc(Zn) and manganese(Mn) in muscle and visceral mass from 10 species of shellfish were determined by using method of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry(ICPAES). The single factor pollution index(Pi), target hazard quotient(THQ) and the total target hazard quotient(TTHQ) were used to evaluate the pollution status of heavy metals and dietary health risk. Results showed that the levels of metals in muscles of the shellfish were found in order of Zn > Mn > Cu > Cr > Cd > Pb, while which in visceral mass were in order of Zn > Mn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd. Except Cr, the heavy metals concentrations in visceral mass samples were significantly higher than those in the corresponding muscles. Based on the Pi indexes, the shellfish were polluted to one degree or another by Cd, Pb, Cr and Zn, except the Pi indexes of Cu. The shellfish Pi index from high to low was in order of Cd > Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu, While the Pi index of Cd, Zn and Pb in most shellfish viscera were in heavy pollution level. The results of THQ showed that the indexes exposure to individual metal(Cd, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu, respectively) were at none risk level for children and adults except the index of Cd in visceral mass of Pinna pectinata. However, TTHQ results showed that the TTHQ value in about half of the shellfish species were more than 1, which indicated that long-term consumption of the visceral mass of these species would have a negative impact on human health. In summary, the shellfishes were polluted by Zn, Cd, Pb and Cr to some extent, which indicated that hidden danger of heavy metals pollution was present in ecological environment and fishery production in the area, and the monitoring of heavy metal residue in shellfish and heavy metals pollution need to be strengthened.