Hypertension risk is associated with elevated concentrations of rare earth elements in serum

•The association of rare earth element (REE) exposure with hypertension is not well understood.•Concentrations of Ce and La in serum were found to be higher in the cases than the control.•Concentrations of Ce and La in serum were positively correlated with blood pressure.•Environmental exposure to REEs, especially Ce and La, presents a risk to hypertension.•The dose-response relationships were observed between serum REE levels of and hypertension risk.