Distribution and health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in an abandoned mining area in the southeastern region of China

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) may still remain in a mining area and be distributed after the static remediation of a mining area previously polluted by PTEs. This could cause harm to the health of the area's residents. In this study, the concentrations of 12 PTEs in PM2.5, dust, rice, and drinking water were determined by ICP-MS and iCAP-Q. The human health risk assessment model was used to quantitatively assess the health risk of PTEs in the mining areas. It was found that concentrations of PTEs in rice and drinking water were lower than the corresponding respective national standards. The concentration of As in PM2.5 was higher than the national standard limit for the substance (6 ng/m3). PTEs (As, Cu, Zn, Pb, Sb and Cd) in the dust were moderately or considerably polluted (1.88 < pollution index < 31.24). The hazard quotient (HQ) values of PTEs in PM2.5, dust and drinking water for different populations were less than 1. 12 PTEs in dust and drinking water, which does not pose a carcinogenic risk (CR < 10−4). Cr, Cd and As in rice posed a non-carcinogenic (HQ > 1) and carcinogenic risk (CR > 10−4). Ingestion was the main exposure route of the health risk of PTEs because ingestion had the highest contribution rate to health risk. Children in this area have the highest hazard index (HI) value for exposure to PTEs. But the total carcinogenic index (TCR) was highest in adult males. In the study area , As, Cr, and Cd, which are carcinogenic to human bodies (HI > 1, TCR > 10−4), need to be give high priority.