In this study, the enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index (PLI) were used to evaluate the pollution of potential toxic elements (PTEs) in the soil near the oil production plants in central China, and the potential ecological risk (PER) and human health risk (HHR) assessment model were used to evaluate the PER and HHR caused by the soil PTEs in the study area. The mean EFs of all PTEs were greater than 1, PTEs have accumulated to varying degrees, especially Cr, Ni and Pb were the most serious. The average value of PLI was 2.62, indicating that the soil PTEs were seriously polluted. The average $${E}_{r}^{i}$$ E r i values of PTEs were Cr > Pb > Cd > Ni > As > Cu > Zn > Mn, of which Cr, Pb, Cd and Ni were at medium and above PER levels. Both adults and children in the study area suffered from varying degrees of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. The total hazard index (THI) values of children (7.31) and adults (1.03) were all > 1, and the total carcinogenic risk index (TCRI) of children (9.44E−04) and adults (5.75E−04) were also > 10–4. In particular, the hazardous quotient (HQ) of Cr and Pb for children under the oral intake route were 4.91 and 1.17, respectively, caused serious non-carcinogenic risk. And the carcinogenic risk index (CRI) values of the PTEs in adults and children under the three exposure routes were Cr > Ni >  > As > Pb >  > Cd. Among them, the CRI values of Cr and Ni in children and adults by oral intake were both greater than 10–4, showing a strong carcinogenic risk. The results will provide scientific basis for environmental protection and population health protection in this area.

In this study, the enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index (PLI) were used to evaluate the pollution of potential toxic elements (PTEs) in the soil near the oil production plants in central China, and the potential ecological risk (PER) and human health risk (HHR) assessment model were used to evaluate the PER and HHR caused by the soil PTEs in the study area. The mean EFs of all PTEs were greater than 1, PTEs have accumulated to varying degrees. The average value of PLI was 2.62, indicating that the soil PTEs were seriously polluted. The average \({E}_{r}^{i}\) values of PTEs were Cr > Pb > Cd > Ni > As > Cu > Zn > Mn, of which Cr, Pb, Cd and Ni were at medium and above PER levels. Both adults and children in the study area suffered from varying degrees of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. The total hazard index (THI) values of children (7.31) and adults (1.03) were all > 1, and the total carcinogenic risk index (TCRI) of children (9.44E-04) and adults (5.75E-04) were also > 10 − 4. The results will provide scientific basis for environmental protection and population health protection in this area.