Distribution,bioavailability, and potential risk assessment of the metals in tributary sediments of Three Gorges Reservoir: The impact of water impoundment

To investigate the impact of water impoundment on the metal contamination in sediments cores from the three tributaries of Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), the concentrations, distribution, bioavailability, and potential risk of eight trace metals between summer and winter were analyzed using sequential analysis. The mean contents of all studied metals were higher than the geochemical background value, and were higher in summer than in winter. The results of the partitioning study indicated that Cr and Ni prevailed in the residual fraction, while a small proportion was found in the easily soluble fractions. Cu and Zn were distributed mainly in the residual and reducible fraction, while Cd and Pb were predominantly associated with non-residual fractions. These observations suggested that the most easily mobilized metals in the study area were Cd and Pb. The mean enrichment factors (EF) of Cu, Zn, Cd and Hg were higher than 1.5, revealing the potential anthropogenic inputs, whilst the EF of other metals remained within the range of natural variability. The positive correlation between non-residual Cu, Zn and Cd and their EF values further indicated that anthropogenic inputs were the potentially major contributor for the enrichment of Cu, Zn and Cd in TGR sediments. The results evaluated by both potential ecological risk index and modified risk assessment code (mRAC) of all sampling sites demonstrated the relatively high potential risk of sediment contamination effect in TGR.     

Evaluation of Soil Contamination Indices in a Mining Area of Jiangxi,China

There is currently a wide variety of methods used to evaluate soil contamination. We present a discussion of the advantages and limitations of different soil contamination assessment methods. In this study, we analyzed seven trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn) that are indicators of soil contamination in Dexing, a city in China that is famous for its vast nonferrous mineral resources in China, using enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (I_geo), pollution index (PI), and principal component analysis (PCA). The three contamination indices and PCA were then mapped to understand the status and trends of soil contamination in this region. The entire study area is strongly enriched in Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn, especially in areas near mine sites. As and Hg were also present in high concentrations in urban areas. Results indicated that Cr in this area originated from both anthropogenic and natural sources. PCA combined with Geographic Information System (GIS) was successfully used to discriminate between natural and anthropogenic trace metals.     

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.     

Ecological risk assessment of metals in roadside agricultural soils: A modified approach

The threat of metal contamination of roadside agricultural soils poses severe ecological risks throughout the globe due to dual contamination by intensive agriculture and traffic-related activities. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess ecological risks posed by metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in intensively cultivated roadside agricultural soils of Punjab, India. The results of the contamination assessment factors i.e. Contamination Factor (CF) and Enrichment Factor (EF) indicated that the studied soils were moderately to highly contaminated with metals. It was observed that the Modified Risk Index (MRI), which is based upon EF, indicated the ecological risks of metals more efficiently than the traditional Ecological Risk Index (RI), which is based upon CF in the present study. The MRI values indicated that the metals posed considerable to high risk in 67.86% samples as compared to only 7.14% samples based upon RI values. Thus, MRI can be considered as a more efficient risk indicator in comparison to RI. Spatial distribution maps of MRI indicated to higher metal contamination in inner urban parts of study area due to higher traffic and industrial activities.     

Contamination features and health risk of heavy metals in suburban vegetable soils,Yanbian, Northeast China

In recent years, heavy metal contamination in suburban vegetable soils calls for significant concerns due to the rapid urbanization and industrialization. In present study, 110 suburban vegetable soil samples from Yanbian, Northeast China, were collected. Concentration characteristics, pollution level, health risk, and source identification were evaluated by using different quantitative indices. Concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd, and As in suburban soils were measured. Mean concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn Cd, and As were 34.9 ± 10.5, 73.5 ± 44.4, 29.6 ± 19.4, 23.4 ± 12.0, 88.5 ± 26.7, 0.16 ± 0.16, and 9.24 ± 3.79 mg/kg, which were showed significantly higher than corresponding background values of Jilin province, respectively. The soils were moderately heavy polluted by Cu and Cd based on the results of geo-accumulated index and pollution indices. The pollution load index indicated that almost all of the study area were middle or heavy polluted, especially in Antu County and Helong City. Children in Yanbian may pose non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks with the major exposure pathway of ingestion. Principle component analysis results suggested that Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd were mainly associated with agricultural activities, Ni and Cr were defined as combined source (lithogenic and anthropogenic), and As was tended to be from excessive application of pesticides and industrial activities.     

Geochemical baseline establishment and ecological risk evaluation of heavy metals in greenhouse soils from Dongtai,China

Currently, heavy metal (HM) contamination in greenhouse soils is a significant concern due to the rapid expansion of greenhouse agriculture. However, it is difficult to accurately assess HM pollution in greenhouse soils in China due to the lack of local geochemical baseline concentrations (GBCs) or corresponding background values. In the present study, the GBCs of HMs in Dongtai, a representative greenhouse area of China, were established from subsoils using cumulative frequency distribution (CFD) curves. The pollution levels of HMs and potential ecological risks were investigated using different quantitative indices, such as geo-accumulation index (I_geo), pollution index (PI), pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk index (RI), based on these regional GBCs. The total concentrations of six metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in surface soils were determined and shown to be lower than the concentrations reported in other greenhouse regions of China. The GBCs of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were 0.059–0.092, 39.20–54.50, 12.52–15.57, 20.63–23.26, 13.43–16.62 and 43.02–52.65 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Based on this baseline criterion, Cd, Pb and Zn accumulated in the surface soils because they were present at concentrations higher than their baseline values. The soils were moderately polluted by Cd according to the I_geo values, and the PI results indicated that moderate Cd contamination was present in this area. The large variation of I_geo value of Cd revealed that Cd in this area was likely influenced by agricultural activities. The PLI showed that most of the study area was moderately polluted. However, an analysis of the RI showed that the investigated HMs had low ecological risks. Correlation analysis and principle component analysis suggested that the Cd, Pb and Zn in the greenhouse soils mainly originated from anthropogenic sources (agricultural activities, atmospheric deposition etc.), while Cr, Cu, and Ni originated from natural sources. The findings of this study illustrated the necessity of GBC establishment at the local scale to facilitate more accurate HM evaluation of greenhouse soils. It is advisable to pay more attention to Cd, which could cause environmental problems in the greenhouse system.     

Heavy Metal Concentration in the Urban Environment of Addis Ababa,Ethiopia

This work assesses the issue of whether the measured concentrations of heavy metals in soil, rocks, surface and ground waters in Addis Ababa can be related to anthropogenic contamination or natural weathering of rocks. Heavy metal analyses of rocks, soils, streams, springs and boreholes have been carried out to identify the presence of potentially harmful solutes. The maximum concentration of total chromium measured is 269 ppm in the northern, industry-free zone of Addis Ababa in the B ₂-horizon of soil profile (cambisol). The Ni/Cr ratio in the rocks is higher than soils, which could indicate the presence of high concentrations of Cr in soils is from weathering processes. A comparative study of different samples collected from various parts of the city indicates that the chemical composition of the hydrothermally affected volcanic rocks plays an important role in increasing heavy metal concentration in the study area. The fresh country rocks contain relatively low concentrations of heavy metals, as shown by background values. The statistical evaluation indicates that the hydrothermally altered rocks contain far higher mean heavy metal concentrations than the fresh acidic rocks (background values). Consequently, soils derived from altered rocks are enriched with respect to heavy metals. From this study it was possible to observe that the rock and soil outcrops of Addis Ababa are anomalously rich in heavy metals derived from hydrothermal activity. Therefore, heavy metal concentrations in the surrounding rocks and soils are related to geogenic sources whereas anthropogenic contribution as a cause of these concentrations is minor.     

Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination in Agricultural Soil of Southwestern Nile Delta,Egypt

The spatial and vertical distributions of heavy metals were quantitatively determined for organic-rich agricultural soils in the Southwestern Nile Delta. This study aims to undertake an assessment of heavy metals contamination in the soils of Quessna district using the inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, remote sensing, and geographic information system techniques. In this study, 24 soil samples were collected at 12 sites representing the main suburbs in the Quessna district. The concentrations of the studied metals decreased in the order of Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > Co. The contamination degree and ecological risk assessment for metals in soil samples were evaluated using the enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, improved Nemerow's pollution index, Pollution load index, and potential ecological risk index. The spatial and vertical distribution of heavy metals concentrations were affected by soil properties such as clay and organic matter content and scavenger metals (Fe and Mn). The intensive urbanization, industrial activity, and agricultural practices are thought to be the main anthropogenic sources of heavy metals contamination. Further studies especially human health risk assessment are recommended to investigate possible risks for humans from heavy metals in this area.     

The spatial distribution,contamination, and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals of farmland soils in Karashahar–Baghrash oasis,northwest China

The issue of heavy metal pollution is of high concern due to its potential health risks and detrimental effects on human beings, animals, and plants. In this study, farmland soil samples from 79 sampling sites were collected in Karashahar–Baghrash oasis, northwest China, and the contents of eight heavy metal elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined by standard methods. The spatial distribution, pollution, and ecological risks of heavy metals were analyzed based on Geographical Information System (GIS) technology, contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (RI). Results indicated that: (1) The average contents of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn exceeded the background values of irrigation soils of Xinjiang by 54.0, 1.34, 1.39, 3.44, and 5.01 times, respectively. The average contents of Cd exceeded the national standard of China by 10.80 times; (2) The pollution order of CF was ranked as Cd > Zn > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cu > As > Mn, and the ecological risk order of E_rⁱ was ranked as Cd > Ni > As > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cr > Zn. The average PLI of the study area showed heavy pollution level, and the average RI of the study area fell into considerable risk; (3) The moderately polluted areas with moderate potential ecological risks distributed in the northern parts, whereas heavily polluted areas with considerable potential ecological risks distributed in the southern parts of the study area; (4) Cr, Cu, and Mn of farmland soils were mainly originated from natural factors. Cd, Ni, and Pb were mainly originated from anthropogenic factors. As and Zn may be associated with both natural and anthropogenic factors. Cd contributed most to the PLI and RI of the farmland soils in the study area.     

Metal Pollution Assessment in Sediments of the Southeastern Black Sea Coast of Turkey

The main objective of this investigation is to determine the concentration and accumulation of heavy metals in the coastal sediments of the Southeastern Black Sea of Turkey. The selected sampling area has mainly been affected by anthropogenic activities, such as agricultural, untreated domestic and treated industrial wastewater, and mining. Metal enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (I_geo), and metal pollution index (MPI) have been calculated and relative contamination levels evaluated at all stations. In this study, the maximum EF values calculated for nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) were 1.4, 3.1, 5.2, 7.8, 7.8, 20, 26, and 42, respectively. Metal pollution has decreased in recent years, but the enrichment of heavy metals has been observed to be relatively high, especially in the uppermost 3-6 cm of the core sample from the Sürmene sampling station, which has been polluted by mining activities. In addition, factor analysis revealed that the coastal sediments from the Eastern Black Sea were influenced by several sources, namely lithogenic and anthropogenic activities (mining, wastewater discharging, agriculture).     

Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination and Potential Ecological Risk in Soils Affected by a Former Mn Mining Activity,Drama District,Northern Greece

Manganese mining activities in the Drama district, northern Greece, have resulted in a legacy of abandoned mine wastes at the “25 km Mn-mine” site. Current research was focused on the western Drama plain (WDP), constituting the recipient of the effluents from Xiropotamos stream, which passes through the “25 km Mn-mine” place. A total of 148 top soil samples were collected and their heavy metals (HMs) concentrations (Mn, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, and As) were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and pollution load index (PLI) were calculated as an effort to assess metal accumulation, distribution, and pollution status of the soils due to the former mining activity. The overall potential ecological risk of HMs to the environment was also evaluated using the potential toxicity response index (RI). Results showed that peak values of the elements (13 wt% for Mn, 0.2 wt% for Pb, 0.2 wt% for Zn, 0.1 wt% for As, 153 mg/kg for Cu, and 27.5 mg/kg for Cd) were found in soils from sites close to and along both sides of the Xiropotamos stream. In this sector of WDP, values of EF, Igeo, and PLI classify the soils as moderately to highly polluted with Mn, Pb, Zn, Cd, and As. Based on RI values, soils in this part of WDP display considerable to very great potential ecological risk and, therefore, a remediation has to be applied. The main cause of soil contamination is considered the Xiropotamos downstream transfer and dispersion of Mn mine wastes via flooding episodes.     

Organic Contamination in Soils Associated with Cemeteries

This study examined the organic contaminants in soils from an older cemetery in Ohio. Thirty soil samples at various depths and distances from graves were obtained and analyzed using organic solvent extraction, concentration, and gas chromatography with mass selective detector. The signatures of methylene chloride-extracted organic compounds show interesting trends vertically within the cemetery, with less apparent horizontal trends. Alkanes in the 18 to 34 carbon number range dominated most core samples. However, the abundance of the lighter C₁₈ to C₂₆ alkanes is unique to the deep samples onsite. Statistically, depth is relatively unimportant in predicting the abundances of the heavier compounds, whereas distance from the nearest grave is significant to predicting the area of light and heavy alkanes. These signatures are very similar to those obtained through maturation and release of organic matter in the subsurface. Evidence indicates release of organic compounds into the surrounding vicinity of the cemetery, but not necessarily off-site.     

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Urban Agricultural Soils of Jilin City,China

Due to rapid industrialization and urbanization during the last two decades, contamination of urban agricultural soils by heavy metals is on an increase all over China. In this study, fifty soil samples were collected from urban vegetable fields in a chemical industrial area and non chemical industrial area in Jilin City to investigate the heavy metal pollution level. The mean Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Cd contents (30.84, 65.65, 26.41, 23.07, 135.14, and 0.1434 mg kg^?1 dry weight, respectively) in the urban vegetable soils were higher than their corresponding natural background values. The principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to identify the possible sources of metal contamination in the study area. The results indicated that Cu and Zn were mainly from industrial activities, while Pb and Cd were derived from traffic activities and agricultural activities, and Cr and Ni tended to be from parent material. The distribution of comprehensive pollution index values showed that Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Cd concentrations in most of the agricultural fields did not exceed the baseline values affecting the safety of agricultural production and human health according to the soil environmental quality standard of China, indicating an insignificant contamination of these metals in Jilin City.     

Concentration and risk assessments of mercury along the elevation gradient in soils of Langtang Himalayas,Nepal

The fragile Himalayan region could be regarded as the sink for various pollutants transported from urbanized and polluted areas of South Asia. Therefore, in order to understand the concentrations, spatial distribution, pollution, and risk assessments of toxic heavy metal, mercury (Hg), surface soil samples were taken from the central Himalayas in the Langtang region. The average THg concentration in the Langtang Himalayas was 35.75 ± 24.41(ngg^?1), which is comparable to the Tibetan top soil values and slightly lower than world average soil values. In addition, an inverse relationship of THg with elevation were observed (i.e. decrease in concentration with increase in elevation) in the Langtang Himalayan soils. Meanwhile, THg concentrations and TOC% were significantly positively correlated at both the depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm), inferring the sorption capacity of organic carbon for Hg. The results of the geo-accumulation index (I_geo), enrichment factor (EF), and pollution index (PI) indicated limited or no pollution by Hg in the Himalayan soils. Further, surface soils had a low potential ecological risk in the region. Therefore, the Hg value from this study could be used for the further evaluation and calculation of I_geo, EF, and PI for water, soil, and aerosol in the Himalayan region as background reference value. However, Hg pollution from long-range transport and atmospheric deposition (wet/dry) in future could not be ignored in the Himalayan region.     

Relationships Between Metal Concentrations in Human Hair and in Soil,Road Dust,and Rice

The relationships between metal contents in soil, road dust, and rice, and in human hair from a rural area of China were observed for Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The results showed that the mean concentrations of Mn in human hair were higher than the highest reference value. The concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in soil and road dust were usually higher than their background values. The enrichment factors indicated that the determined metals in soil and road dust were usually derived from natural sources. Chromium, Pb, and Zn in soils and road dusts from several sites were slightly influenced by anthropogenic sources. The regression analyses showed that positive relationships usually exist between the concentrations of the determined metals in rice and in human hair as well as in soil and in human hair. However, relationships between metal concentrations in road dust and in human hair were less obvious. The study demonstrated that human hair was an applicable biomonitor of metal concentrations in rice, soil, and road dust from a rural area in China. Metal concentrations in local human hair could be used to predict contamination levels of metals in rice and soil.     

Accumulation of trace elements in agricultural topsoil under different geological background

For establishing rational farming mechanism, it is essential to know the relative contribution of different geological background and anthropogenic activities to trace elements in agricultural soil. In this paper, 282 surface soil samples were collected based on the different geological background. Five harmful trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb) were analyzed. The results indicated most of trace elements contents were far beyond the threshold of uncultivated soil background, which indicate anthropogenic input strongly influenced on trace elements in agricultural soil. In addition, correlation analysis showed trace element contents exhibited high relationships with soil pH, C/N and physical clay (<0.01 mm) (p?<?0.05). The principal component analysis showed that the first component included Cd, Cr and Hg, while Pb and As formed the second component. Furthermore, in the agricultural topsoil derived from carbonate rock, the high background values of trace elements and alkaline condition made the enrichments of Cd, Cr and Hg were the most significant. In the agricultural topsoil derived from red residua, the Pb and As contents was the highest values among the soil categories, partly because the type of soil had amount of physical clay (<0.01 mm). In the agricultural topsoil derived from shale, the pH or physical clay had significant relationship with Cd, Pb, Hg and As (p?<?0.01). In the agricultural topsoil derived from sand stone, the acid condition and loose texture might account for the lowest values of Cd, Cr, Pb and As content to some extent.     

Geochemical baseline determination and pollution assessment of heavy metals in urban soils of Karachi,Pakistan

Karachi is one of the most populated urban agglomerations in the world. No categorical study has yet discussed the geochemical baseline concentrations of metals in the urban soil of Karachi. The main objectives of this study were to establish geochemical baseline values and to assess the pollution status of different heavy metals. Geochemical baseline concentrations of heavy metals were estimated using the cumulative frequency distribution (CDF) curves. The estimated baseline concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn and Fe were 56.23, 12.9, 36.31, 123.03 and 11,776 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The pollution status of heavy metals in urban soils was evaluated using different quantitative indices (enrichment factor–EF, Geo-accumulation Index–I_geo, and pollution index–PI). Enrichments factors of the selected heavy metals determined by using Fe as a normalizer showed that metal contamination was the product of anthropogenic activities. The urban soils of Karachi were found to have a moderate to moderately severe enrichment with Pb, whereas Cr and Cu has moderate and Zn has minor enrichment. I_geo results indicated moderate soil contamination by Pb at some of the sampling locations. PI for Pb, Cr, Cu and Zn was found in the range of 0.04–3.42, 0.19–1.55, 0.27–2.45 and 0.32–1.57, respectively. Large variations in PI values of Pb revealed that soil in those areas of the city which are influenced by intensive anthropogenic activities have exceptionally high concentrations of Pb. The findings of this study would contribute to the environmental database of the soil of the region and would also facilitate both at the local and the international scales, in a more accurate global environmental monitoring, which will eventually facilitate the development of management and remediation strategies for heavy metal contaminated urban soil.     

Geochemical Assessment of Iron and Vanadium Relationships in Oxic Soil Environments

Geochemical assessment has become a cost-effective and highly accurate tool for estimating metal contamination, especially in those cases where the level of contamination is not considered severe. Difficulties frequently arise in attempting to discriminate between pristine metal concentrations and low-level environmental impacts. As an example, Vanadium contamination is frequently associated with coal and petroleum bi-products; however, air and water contamination pathways are also possible. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the V and Fe concentration relationship among a wide variety of soil types and to formulate an estimate of the pristine V concentrations in these soils. If a linear relationship may be established between Fe and V, then geochemical analysis of impacted soils may discriminate between V as a natural background component and anthropogenic V. Forty-six moderately well-drained to well-drained soil profiles having cambic, argillic or calcic soil horizons were characterized for Fe and V using an aqua-regia digestion to determine if these soils exhibited a one-to-one correspondence between V and Fe. Such a correspondence was authenticated for the majority of these soils and may be used to discriminate between natural and anthropogenic V. The presence of argillic, calcic or fragipan horizons did not reduce the one-to-one correspondence between V and Fe, suggesting that these soil processes did not selectively partition either V or Fe. The method needs to be further evaluated for soils having anoxic soil conditions, lithologic discontinuities and other specific pedogenic processes.     

Heavy metals contamination and human health risk assessment in soils of an industrial area,Bandar Abbas – South Central Iran

The purpose of this study was to determine the contamination level, distribution, health risk and potential sources of Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and As in 66 topsoil samples from industrial areas in Bandar Abbas County. The geoaccumulation index, pollution index and pollution load index were calculated to assess the pollution level in the industrial soils. The hazard index and carcinogenic risk were used to assess human health risk of heavy metals. Results showed that the contamination levels of heavy metals were in the descending order of Cu> Cd> Pb> Zn> As> Ni> Cr. Moreover, based on principal component analysis, Cd, Zn, Cu, and Pb originated mainly from anthropogenic sources, including power plants, oil and gas refinery, steel and zinc production factories and municipal waste landfills. For non-carcinogenic effects, hazard index of studied metals decreased in the order of Cr> As> Cd> Pb> Ni > Cu> Zn. Arsenic, chromium and cadmium were regarded as the priority pollutants. Carcinogenic risks due to Cd and As in suburban soils were within tolerable risk to human health; however, children faced more health risk in their daily life than adults via their unconscious ingestion and dermal contact pathway.