Health risk assessment of heavy metals in groundwater of coal mining area: A case study in Dingji coal mine,Huainan coalfield,China

Heavy metals enrichment in groundwater poses great ecological risks to human beings. In the present research work, a total of 59 groundwater samples from 12 sampling points in Dingji coal mine, Huainan coalfield, were collected and measured for Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Mn, Cr, and Fe by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The human health risk caused by heavy metals through the pathway of drinking water was evaluated and analyzed using the US Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) evaluation model. It has been found that the carcinogenic risk values were between 1.05 × 10^?5 and 3.5 × 10^?4, all exceeding the maximum acceptable level recommended by the USEPA, and the carcinogenic risk of Cr accounted for 99.67% of the total carcinogenic risk. The non-carcinogenic health risk values were all lower than the negligible level given by the USEPA, and the contribution of non-carcinogenic health risk was in the order of Cr > Zn > Cu / Pb >Mn > Fe > Cd > Ni. Among them, Cr had the largest contribution, accounting for 36% of the total non-carcinogenic risk value. In this study, the carcinogenic risk constituted 99.99% of the total health risk, indicating that the total health risk essentially consisted of carcinogenic risk. The research results suggest that much more attention should be paid to the health risk caused by Cr in the groundwater.     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution and human health risk in urban soils of a coal mining city in East China

The aims of this study were to determine the concentrations, distribution, potential ecological risk (PER), and human health risk (Risk) of heavy metals in urban soils from a coal mining city in China. A total of 36 topsoil samples from Huainan city, Anhui, East China, were collected and analyzed for As, Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu. The PER was calculated to assess the pollution level. The hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk were used to assess the human health risk of heavy metals in the study area. The average concentration of As, Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu were 12.54, 0.21, 24.21, 0.19, 49.39, and 21.74 mg kg^?1, respectively. The correlations between heavy metals indicated that Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb mainly originated from automobile exhaust emissions, coal gangue, fly ash, and industrial wastewater, and that As and Hg mainly came from coal combustion exhaust. The PER index values of heavy metals decreased in the following order: Hg > Cd > As> Cu > Pb > Cr. The HI and Risk values indicated that the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of selected metals in the urban soil were both below the threshold values.     

Human health risk assessment of trace elements in shallow groundwater of the Linhuan coal-mining district,Northern Anhui Province,China

Enrichment of trace elements in groundwater poses considerable risks to human health. The concentrations of seven trace elements (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in 34 samples of shallow groundwater from the study area were estimated. We assessed the concentrations of the trace elements and health risks with statistical analysis and the US Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) model. The results showed that the mean concentrations of trace elements decreased as follows: Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Cd > Pb. Apart from Mn at one sampling point, the concentrations of all trace elements were below the guideline values of the World Health Organization for drinking water. Correlation and cluster analysis indicated that the trace elements fell into groups, with Ni and Cu in one group, and Mn, Zn, and Cd in another, which suggested that the trace elements grouped together had similar sources. The total non-carcinogenic risk values ranged from 8.52 × 10^?4 to 1.27 × 10^?1. The total carcinogenic risk caused by Cr and Cd averaged 1.62 × 10^?6, which exceeded the acceptable level of 1 × 10^?6 recommended by the USEPA. The carcinogenic risk of Cr accounted for 75.93% of R_total.     

Toxic metal ion in seafood: Meta-analysis of human carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic threat assessment,a geomedical study from Dhamra and Puri,Odisha

The investigation revealed the adverse health threats on human beings from toxic metals via ingestion of seafood from two contaminated sites in Odisha. Bioaccumulation through food chain was presented as tissue metal concentrations. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health hazards were estimated by Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Target Cancer Risk (TCR) following USEPA referred safe metal intake limit. THQ of Metals like Mn, Ni, Cd, Pb in both sites showed >1, indicating a severe non carcinogenic health threat to humans from the investigated metals. THQ of Cu, Zn, Fe, Cr and Hg showed < 1, implying the least possible deleterious health effects. Cr was the most significant carcinogenic pollutant in both sites. The marine fish consumption of Dhamra site might cause extra 7 cases of cancer per 10000 populations due to higher Cr level (cancer risk 6.7 × 10^?3). Carcinogenic risk of Ni and Pb were below the tolerable range of 10E-4. The presence of Cd in sea foods elevated cancer risks in both sites. The metal pollution index (MPI) indicated, the highest toxic metal bio accumulation was contributed by Arius arius species. Ilisha megaloptera and Lates calcarifer from Dhamra and Puri showed highest hazard index (HI) suggesting unaccountable non-carcinogenic health threat.     

Assessment of Human Health Risk for an Area Impacted by a Large-Scale Metallurgical Refinery Complex in Hunan,China

Due to accelerated urbanization and reform of industrial structure in China, polluting industries in major cities have been closed or relocated. Consequently, large numbers of industrial sites were generated and the contaminated soils on and around these sites may pose risks to humans. This case study presents an estimation of human health risks for an area that is mainly impacted through air dispersion and deposition from a large-scale metallurgical refinery complex in Zhuzhou city, Hunan Province, China. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks posed by the contaminants were estimated under future industrial and residential land use scenarios. The result shows that adverse health effects may occur primarily through ingestion of soils contaminated with As, Cd, and Pb. The total carcinogenic risks of multiple contaminants for a large area exceed the acceptable risk level of 1 × 10^?5, and several localized hotspots, where the total hazard index exceeds 1 were identified. Soils in the Tongda site pose the highest carcinogenic risks and non-carcinogenic hazards. It is concluded that potential human health risks exist under the proposed redevelopment scenarios, and development of risk-based remediation strategies is recommended.     

Health risk assessment of some heavy metals in urban community garden soils of Baghdad City,Iraq

The objective of this study is the evaluation of health risk of heavy metals in soils of urban community gardens of Baghdad City in Iraq. The soil samples were collected from 14 community gardens and analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. The non-carcinogenic hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk index (RI) were utilized to evaluate human health risk of heavy metals. The health hazard evaluation showed that there is no non-carcinogenic hazard in light of the fact that the HI values were beneath the threshold value (HI < 1). The HI for children and adults has a descending order of Cd < Cr < Cu < Ni < Pb < Zn. The carcinogenic RI values for Cd, Cr and Ni were over the unacceptable threshold value (RI < 1 × 10^?4), demonstrating that there is a serious carcinogenic risk for children and adults in the study area. The carcinogenic RI for children and adults has a descending order of Cr < Cd < Ni. These findings give environment administrators and leaders data on whether therapeutic activities are required to decrease exposure.     

Health Risks of Metals in Soil,Water, and Major Food Crops in Hamedan Province,Iran

Food, drinking water, soil, and air are the main routes of exposure to trace metals, thus the assessment of the risks posed to humans by these elements is important. Wheat, potatoes, and maize are very important parts of the Iranian diet. The objectives of this study were to estimate the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks of Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, Se, As, and Ni to adults and children via soil, water, and major food crops consumed in Hamedan Province, northwest Iran, using the total non-cancer hazard quotient (THQ) and cancer risk assessment estimates. Total non-cancer hazard of Ni and Hg, were greater than 1, and total cancer risk of As and Pb was greater than 1 × 10^?6. Food consumption was identified as the major route of human exposure to metals, and consuming foodstuff threatens the health of the studied population. In Hamedan Province, consumption of wheat is the main source of intake of metals from foodstuff for adults, and in children, the soil ingestion route is also important.     

Evaluation of health risks associated with trace metal exposure in water from the Barekese reservoir in Kumasi,Ghana

Abstract

Reservoirs play a pertinent role in providing potable water to humans and aquatic animals. Exposure to trace metal pollution in water may threaten aquatic ecosystem and human health. In this study, total and dissolved trace metals pollution and health risk they posed to humans in water sampled from the Barekese reservoir in Kumasi were investigated. Levels of Hg, As, Ni, and Cr in the water exceeded the WHO and USEPA stipulated limits. Arsenic and Cd recorded the highest non-carcinogenic health risk to humans. Hazard quotients (HQs) ?1 were recorded for an adult (HQ = 9.05) and a child (HQ = 21.11) via oral exposure to dissolved As in water samples. High HQ values of 40.10 and 17.20 for a child and an adult respectively were recorded through oral exposure for As. HQ of 1.41 was estimated for a child’s risk via dermal exposure to total Cd in water from the reservoir. Cancer risks of 1.63?×?10^?5 and 2.33?×?10^?6 were respectively recorded for a child and an adult oral exposure to dissolved As, suggesting possible adverse effects. The study concludes that anthropogenic activities within the Barekese catchment are deteriorating its water quality.     

Spatial Assessment of Heavy Metals in Surface Soil from Klang District (Malaysia): An Example from a Tropical Environment

Heavy metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) in surface soil of Klang district were determined and multivariate analysis was used to understand their potential sources. The total and bioavailability of concentrations were used in identifying the potential risks to the ecology and human health. The means for the total heavy metal concentrations were found to be in the order of Fe > Al > Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr > Co > Cd, while the means for the bioavailability concentrations were found to be in the order of Al > Fe > Zn > Cu > Co > Cd > Pb > Cr. Principal Component Analysis showed Principal Component 1 as being of natural origin whereas Principal Components 2, 3, and 4 were associated with mixed anthropogenic sources, such as traffic and industrial emissions, organic matter, and granulometric fractions. Potential ecological risk assessment indicated an overall low ecological risk. Spatial assessment of non-carcinogenic risks showed that the Hazard Index values were more than one in Johan Setia, due to biomass burning of peat swamps exploited for agricultural development. While for spatial assessment of carcinogenic risks, the Lifetime Cancer Risk values were in the limit (1 × 10^?5), indicating low cancer inducing risks. Nevertheless, with intense development pressure in the Klang district could overlap pollution inputs in the future.     

Distribution and health risk assessment of heavy metals in soil surrounding a lead and zinc smelting plant in Zanjan,Iran

One of the problematic issues in soil pollution studies is heavy metal particles which are produced by mines and smelting units and spread through wind action and/or runoff. Pollution and health risk assessment of cadmium, lead, zinc, copper, and nickel in soil around the lead and zinc smelting factory was carried out in Zanjan City, Iran. Contamination factor (Cf), pollution load index (PLI), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk were pollution and human health risk assessment metrics in this study. Based on the Iranian soil guideline value, soil samples in the studied areas were contaminated the least by copper and nickel and the most by cadmium. PLI results showed that soils near the production line were heavily or extremely heavily polluted. The results of Cf and Igeo showed that lead and zinc were the most important contaminants. Health risk assessment indicated that lead and cadmium in soil were the main contaminants, which pose both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to human health; carcinogenic risk levels were unacceptably high (above 1 × 10^?4). It can be concluded that mining and smelting activities degrade soil quality in this region and the soil pollution might be extended to farming areas.     

Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Urban Soil of Karachi,Pakistan

The potential health risk due to lifetime exposure to copper, lead, chromium, zinc, and iron in urban soil of Karachi, Pakistan, was evaluated. Mean concentrations of Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, and Fe in topsoil samples were 33.3 ± 12.8, 42.1 ± 55.8, 9.6 ± 4.2, 99.5 ± 37.3, and 908.4 ± 57.8 mg kg^?1, respectively. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency model was adopted for the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment from different exposure pathways. Risk assessment indicated that the overall results for the carcinogenic risk were insignificant. However, the carcinogenic risk from Pb due to oral ingestion of soil exceeded the value of 1 × 10^?6, in some areas of the city. It indicates that the exposure to Pb-contaminated soil may cause adverse health effects in humans, especially in children. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) for different metals through ingestion and dermal pathways was also found to be less than 1. The combined Hazard Index (HI) for children through different routes of exposure was 8.9 times greater than for adults. It indicates that the children are more susceptible to non-carcinogenic health effects of trace metals compared to adults. Particularly, non-carcinogenic risk of Pb to children via oral ingestion needs special attention.     

Potential health risk of heavy metals via consumption of rice and vegetables grown in the industrial areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

Heavy metals are toxic in nature, and their contamination in foodstuff is a matter of concern for human health. The present study was conducted to assess the concentrations of chromium, nickel, copper, arsenic, cadmium, and lead in rice and vegetables and their possible human health risks in Tangail district, Bangladesh. Metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave digestion system. The average values of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb in rice and vegetables were 16.26, 16.11, 13.99, 2.28, 1.86, and 7.93?mg/kg, respectively. The average metal concentration in rice and vegetable species was in the decreasing order of okra?>?chili?>?bitter gourd?>?papaya?>?brinjal?>?bean?>?bottle gourd?>?rice?>?cucumber?>?sponge gourd?>?Indian spinach. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values of all the metals except Cu were higher than the maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The target hazard quotients (THQs) values of Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb exceeded the threshold value of 1 through consumption of rice and vegetables, indicating significant health risks to both adult and children. The target carcinogenic risk (TR) of As and Pb through consumption of rice and vegetables was higher than the USEPA threshold level (10^?4). From the health point of view, this study clearly revealed that consumption of these contaminated rice and vegetables definitely poses carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks.     

Health Risks Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Soil-Crop System from an E-Waste Dismantling Area

Soil is an essential resource for agricultural production. In order to investigate the pollution situation of heavy metals in the soil-crop system in the e-waste dismantling area, the crop and soil samples (226 pairs, including leaf vegetables, solanaceous vegetables, root vegetables, and fruits) around the e-waste dismantling area in southeastern Zhejiang Province were collected. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Cr were determined. The average concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Cr in soils were 0.94, 107.79, 80.28, and 78.14 mg kg^-1, respectively, and their corresponding concentrations in crops were 0.024, 0.7, 0.041, and 0.06 mg kg^-1, respectively. The transfer capacity of leaf vegetables was significantly higher than that of non-leaf vegetables, and the accumulation of four heavy metals in crops tended to be Cd > Cu > Cr/Pb. The pollution index’s results revealed that the soil pollution degree under different land uses ranked as root vegetables soil > leaf vegetables soil > solanaceous vegetables soil > fruit soil. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of heavy metal exposure were ranked as food intake > accidental ingestion > dermal contact > inhalation. The comprehensive non-carcinogenic risk was ranked as Cr > Cd > Pb/Cu. Our results could be used to provide useful information for further crop cultivation layout in the study area, which can guarantee the local residents’ health and food safety.

     

Hazardous metals levels in groundwater from Gokana,Rivers State,Nigeria: Non-cancer and cancer health risk assessment

This study investigated heavy metals concentration in groundwater in six coastal communities in Gokana, Rivers State, namely, Gbe, K-Dere, B-Dere, Mogho, Kpor and Bodo City and the human health risk posed to the local populace via ingestion and dermal contact using non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk assessment. The mean values of the heavy metals ranged between 0.02–0.86, 0.16–0.19, 0.03–0.10, 0.02–0.03 and 0.01–0.17 for Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr, respectively. The heavy metals were above the drinking water quality recommended limits in all the study sites. Estimations of average daily dose (ADD) and dermal absorbed dose (DAD) health risk indicates that Mn, Ni and Pb posed human health risk via ingestion contact pathway. However, hazard index (HI) values of Cd and Cr for ingestion pathway were >1.0 and the estimated Lifetime of Carcinogenic Risks (LTCR) for Ni, Cd and Cr exceeded the predicted lifetime risk for carcinogens of 10^?6 from ingestion pathway. Furthermore, there were more appreciable risk from Ni and Cr in the study sites as LTCR value in most sites were >10^?4_. This study indicates possible non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic human health hazard from groundwater consumption in Gokana via oral ingestion.     

Risk Assessment of the Abandoned Jukjeon Metal Mine in South Korea Following the Korean Guidelines

Toxic metal contamination in the vicinity of Korean abandoned metal mines has been reported. A risk assessment for these metals was performed for the inhabitants in the area of the abandoned Jukjeon metal mine. Soil, groundwater, and crop samples were collected around the mine. After pretreatment of these samples, metal concentrations were measured and then a risk assessment was performed using the Korean soil-contamination risk assessment guidelines. Phytoaccumulation of metals in crops was observed in soybeans (As and Zn), red peppers (Zn), sweet potatoes (As and Zn), and cabbage (Cu), which had higher metal concentrations than soils in the area. The metal intake rate was highest for inhalation of soil. Cancer risk was highest from ingestion of As-contaminated crops. The sum of carcinogenic risks was 6.29 × 10^–3. The non-carcinogenic risk was highest for ingestion of As-contaminated crops (8.17). Most of the risks were attributable to As, Pb, and Hg contamination, therefore these three metals must be considered as the principal metals toxic to human health in the sampled area. In particular, the inhalation of metal-contaminated soil should be considered for risk assessment along with ingestion of water and crops in abandoned mine areas.     

Arsenic in vegetables poses a health risk in the vicinity of a mining area in the southern Hunan Province,China

The main objectives of the present study were to investigate the levels of arsenic (As) in 23 vegetable species planted on As-polluted soil and assess the human health risks of contaminated vegetable consumption. The target hazard quotient (THQ) and target cancer risk (TR) methods were employed to evaluate the human health risks posed by exposure to As through vegetable consumption. Our results indicate substantial As contamination of the experimental soil. Significant differences were detected in the concentrations of total and inorganic As in the edible parts of the various vegetables grown on contaminated soil, which were generally in the following order: leafy vegetables > stem vegetables > root vegetables > melon and fruit vegetables. The total THQ value for As due to vegetable consumption for children (4.81) was higher than that for adults (3.66), the TR values for As due to vegetable ingestion for adults (1.65 × 10^?3) and children (2.17 × 10^?3) were significantly beyond the range of acceptable risk (10-6–10-4) recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the maximum acceptable risk value (5.0 × 10^?5) recommended by the International Commission on Radiation Protection, which clearly poses a dangerous health risk for residents consuming vegetables in the long-term in the study area.     

Spatial distribution,contamination levels,sources, and potential health risk assessment of trace elements in street dusts of Urumqi city,NW China

Abstract

A total of 83 dust samples were collected from the streets of Urumqi city in NW China and analyzed for the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn elements. The spatial distribution, contamination levels, main sources, and potential health risks of these trace elements were determined based on geostatistical analysis, geo-accumulation index, multivariate analysis, and the health risk assessment model introduced by the USEPA, respectively. The obtained results indicate that the average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn exceed the corresponding background values determined in Xinjiang soils by factors of 2.0, 1.35, 1.38, 8.24, 1.28, 2.09, and 3.26, respectively. The spatial distribution patterns of the nine trace elements in street dust were found to be substantially heterogeneous, and the contamination level decreased in the following order: Hg?>?Zn?>?Pb?>?Cd?>?Cr?>?Cu?>?As?>?Ni?>?Mn. Based on the identified concentrations, the collected dust samples were found to be moderately polluted by Hg, and not polluted by As, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Ni. The remaining elements, Cd, Pb, and Zn lie on the borderline between non-pollution and moderate pollution levels. Furthermore, it was shown that Mn and Zn in street dusts originate from both, natural and anthropogenic sources, while As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Pb are mainly produced by anthropogenic sources. Overall, the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of the analyzed elements, instigated primarily by oral ingestion of street dusts, were found to be within the acceptable range for both, children and adults. As and Cr are the main non-carcinogenic elements, whereas Cr is the major carcinogenic element among the investigated dust-bound metals in the study area.     

Heavy metals contamination in shallow groundwater of a coal-mining district and a probabilistic assessment of its human health risk

To manage public health and make better use of groundwater resources, the concentration characteristics and a health risk assessment of eight heavy metals in shallow groundwater were studied. Besides this, this paper introduced triangular fuzzy numbers into the USEPA health risk assessment model to assess the health risk posed to local children and adults through different exposure pathways. The results showed that Mn levels exceeded the WHO’s guideline values of 100?µg/L with the proportion of 27.98% and Sr were over the health reference level (HRL) of 1500?µg/L with the proportion of 56.25%, while other heavy metals were below the corresponding standard. The results of the HRA showed that the non-carcinogenic risks from Sr and Mn in the district were relatively higher, while those from the remaining six heavy metals were relatively lower. All hazard index (HI) values did not exceed the safety level of 1 for either age group. The average carcinogenic risk from Cr was slightly higher than the acceptable level of 1?×?10^?6 for adults. Sensitivity analyses conducted using Monte Carlo simulation indicated that Sr and Cr concentrations were the most influential variables contributing to the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk values, respectively, while body weight had a minor contribution.     

Heavy Metal Contamination in Urban Surface Soil of Klang District (Malaysia)

This study aimed to determine bioavailability of heavy metal concentrations (Al, Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Cd, Pb and Cr) in 76 urban surface soil samples of Klang district (Malaysia). This study also aimed to determine health risks posed by bioavailability of heavy metals in urban soil on adults and children. For bioavailability of heavy metal concentrations, a physiologically bioavailability extraction test in vitro digestion model was used. Mean values of bioavailability heavy metal concentrations for this study were found to be the highest in Al (25.44 mg/kg) and lowest in Cr (0.10 mg/kg). Results of Spearman correlation coefficient (r) values showed significant correlations were observed for Al-Fe (r = 0.681), Cd-Co (r = 0.495), Cu-Zn (r = 0.232), Fe-Pb (r = 0.260), Fe-Zn (r = 0.239). For cluster analysis, output showed that these heavy metals could be classified into four clusters: Cluster 1 consisted of Cd, Cr, Co, and Pb; Cluster 2 consisted of Zn and Cu; Cluster 3 consisted of Fe; and Cluster 4 consisted of Al. For Clusters 1 and 2, anthropogenic sources were believed to be the sources, while for Clusters 3 and 4 the heavy metals originated from natural sources. Health risks were determined in adults and children through health risk assessment. For adults, Hazard Quotient (HQ) value was <1, indicating no non-carcinogenic risk, while for children, the HQ value was >1, indicating a non-carcinogenic risk. Meanwhile, for carcinogenic risk, heavy metal contamination in the Klang district might not pose a carcinogenic risk to adults while it may pose a carcinogenic risk to children because TR values in this study were >1.0E-04 for children. Output has identified the general health risk in the Klang district. Moreover, this study's findings will contribute to fill in the gap of knowledge on heavy metals' impacts on human health and urban development in the Klang District.     

Comprehensive comparison of probabilistic health risks of soil heavy metals in China’s mining areas

Abstract

To assess the health risks caused by soil heavy metal in China’s mining areas, concentration data for eight heavy metals in 77 mines were collected from previous literature. Monte Carlo simulation was used to analyze the corresponding carcinogenic risks and noncarcinogenic risks, and sensitivity analysis was carried out for each parameter. The results showed that among the different types of mining areas, multi-metal mines have the highest risk of carcinogenesis, followed by tungsten and antimony mines. Their carcinogenic risk values are all greater than 10^?4, which is unacceptable. Pb is a heavy metal with highest noncarcinogenic risk. The log-transformed value is 3.2, which is much larger than the threshold of 0; Pb is followed by As and Hg. Therefore, Pb, As, and Hg are the heavy metals that should be controlled preferentially in polluted mining areas. Sensitivity analysis showed that the soil ingestion rate, exposure frequency, and pollutant concentration level are the factors that have the greatest impacts on health risks. More attention should be paid to these factors when addressing heavy metal pollution in mining areas. In addition, for the surveyed mines, children had a greater health risk than adults, so children should be given extra attention.