Spatial distribution and risk assessment of metals in dust based on samples from nursery and primary schools of Xi'an, China

Abstract

The spatial distribution of metal (Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Ba, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni and V) concentrations in urban dust of Xi'an, China was determined using the geographical information system method on dust from nursery and primary schools. The health risk of these metals in campus dust to children was assessed based on the EPA heath risk model. The results indicate elevated metal concentrations, especially of Cu, Pb, Zn, Co, Cr and Ba, which are 1.5–10.2, 2.6–73.0, 2.1–26.5, 2.0–10.9, 1.2–10.2 and 1.1–10.4 times the background values of Shaanxi soil, respectively. Pb, Cr, Cu and Ba have similar distribution patterns. The hot-spot areas of Pb, Zn, Cu, Co, Cr and Ba are mainly associated with industrial activities and heavy traffic. Their spatial distributions in the Xi'an urban dust indicated that these metals mainly originate from vehicles and industrial activities. For As, Mn, Ni and V, natural factors are important in controlling their distributions. Health risk assessment shows that ingestion is the largest exposure route of metals in dust from nursery and primary schools to children. The mean hazard indices for non-cancer risk of all analyzed metals due to campus dust are within the safe range, while the maximum hazard indices of Pb, Cr and As are close to, or slightly higher than, safe levels. The cancer risks of As, Co, Cr and Ni to nursery and primary school children, considering only inhalation, are within the acceptable range.