Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Metals in Urban Topsoil in Shenyang City, Northeast China

Abstract Soil samples are collected from 74 sites in Shenyang city, northeast China, and the concentrations, spatial distribution, enrichment factors (EF), and potential ecological and human health risk ( E r ) of potentially toxic metals (Sr, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, and As) are investigated. The mean concentrations of potentially toxic metals in topsoil follow the order Sr > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > As. Compared with 2011, the contamination magnitude has improved in 2017, but the pollution status still exists, especially for As and Cr. EF and the mean E r of potentially toxic metals decrease following the order As > Pb > Cu > Ni > Zn > Cr > Sr and As > Cu > Zn > Pb > Sr > Ni > Cr, suggesting that the potentially toxic metals in the topsoil of Shenyang city mainly come from natural sources, and the potential ecological risk for potentially toxic metals is low. There are potentially non‐carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks, but they are not considered significant. For non‐carcinogenic health risks, oral ingestion is the main exposure pathway, and Cr and Pb are the major pollutants. Finally, As is found to be the main carcinogenic contamination metal.