Spatial distribution characteristics and comprehensive assessment of environmental and health risks of heavy metal contaminated soil around an industrial area

Industrial development, as the engine of economic progress, has played a crucial role in China's poverty-eradication efforts. However, it has also led to significant soil contamination, particularly in the industrial areas where heavy metals (HMs) have polluted the soil, posing a threat to human health. This study aimed to investigate the levels of HMs and associated health risks in the soil surrounding an industrial area in China's Sichuan Province. A total of 62 topsoil samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, Zn, Cr, and pH value. The contamination levels of HMs in the soil were assessed using the single-factor contamination index (Pi) and potential ecological risk index (RI). The areas with high-HM content were primarily concentrated around lead and zinc smelting enterprises, and the contamination levels were influenced by the distribution of contaminative factories and topography. The entire survey area was found to be at an extremely high potential ecological risk, with Cd and Hg posing the greatest risk. To evaluate the health risks of HMs for children and adults, the hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR) were calculated. The results indicated that the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of HMs were both at negligible or acceptable levels for children and adults across the entire survey area.