Research and Risk Assessment on Heavy Metal Pollution in Soil of Wutai Region, China

Abstract

To understand the status of soil heavy metal pollution and its impact on human health, the Rucun area of Wutai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, was selected as the research area. Using SPSS19 statistical software, the land accumulation index method, potential ecological hazard index method, and health risk assessment model were used to evaluate the degree of soil heavy metal pollution, ecological risk, and health risk in the area. The results indicate that the degree of heavy metal pollution in the soil of the study area is relatively low, and there are light pollution points for As and Pb; The degree of ecological risk is relatively low; As, Cr, and Pb elements pose a significant non carcinogenic health threat; As and Cd elements pose a risk of carcinogenesis; The average value of the total cancer risk index is between 10 -6 and 10 -4 , which does not pose significant harm to the physical health of local residents. However, it exceeds the soil management benchmark value of 10 -6 proposed by the US EPA, and prevention measures should be strengthened. The ecological risk and health risk assessment of heavy metals in soil quantitatively evaluates the risks of heavy metals in soil, which has a good guiding and exemplary role in risk prevention.