Ecological and human health risk assessment of heavy metals in dust affected by fireworks during the Spring Festival in Beijing

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To understand the impact of fireworks on heavy metals in dust, the human health and ecological risks and source identification of six common heavy metals, lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni), were investigated in aged dust (AD) and fireworks dust (FD) collected from seven main administrative districts in Beijing. The health risk was assessed with the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) for non-carcinogenic elements and the carcinogenic risk (RI) for carcinogenic elements. The potential ecological risk was estimated based on the ecological risk index (RI). Principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation analysis were conducted to identify the main sources of the heavy metals. The results showed that the mean concentrations of these metals in both AD and FD were much higher than the corresponding background values in Beijing soil; the Cu and Zn concentrations were significantly elevated by firework burning, while the other four metal concentrations in AD and FD were similar. The HQ and HI values for Cr, Zn, As and Cu in FD were higher than those in AD, indicating that the health risk of heavy metals in dust increased due to firework burning. The ecological risk of the above heavy metals in five of the seven studied districts increased from low to moderate or considerable risk after firework burning. Based on the PCA results, fireworks are an extra pollution source for heavy metals in dust. This research will help the government to implement effective measures to improve urban environmental quality.