Spatial Distribution Profiles and Human-Health Risks of Heavy Metals in Surrounding Area Surface Soils of a Petrochemical Complex

Miao Yi, Shiyi Zhang, Min Li (), Jun Xiang, Bin Tang, Xiao Yan, Jing Zheng, Guiying Li and Taicheng An ()
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Miao Yi: Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Shiyi Zhang: State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
Min Li: State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
Jun Xiang: Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Bin Tang: State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
Xiao Yan: State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
Jing Zheng: State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
Guiying Li: Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Taicheng An: Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-14

Abstract: Despite the growing concern raised by organic pollutants from the petrochemical industry to the surrounding soils, the heavy metal (HM) pollution in these soils remains understudied. This study investigated the levels, potential sources, and human-health risks of 12 HMs in soils inside and in surrounding areas of a petrochemical complex. Generally, the levels of 12 HMs in all soil samples were lower than the national standard of China, except for the Cd in one surrounding soil sample. Approximately 40.9% and 98.1% of soils around and inside the petrochemical complex, respectively, were at slightly contaminated levels. The HM pollution in 94.4% of soils inside and 32% of soils in surrounding areas were mainly affected by petrochemical production. Human-health risk showed that although As posed an acceptable cancer risk for adults both in and around the complex, high cancer risk for surrounding children from As was observed. Moreover, around the complex, Cr, Cd, and Pb posed acceptable cancer risks for children, while Cd posed an acceptable cancer risk for adults. The spatial distribution of the health risks decreased with increasing distance from the complex. Overall, our results demonstrate that it is essential to minimize human exposure to HMs originating from the petrochemical industry, especially As, Cr, Cd, and Pb.

Keywords: soil pollution; heavy metals; petrochemical complex; spatial distribution; health risk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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