Pollution assessment and spatial distribution of trace elements in soils of Arak industrial area, Iran: Implications for human health

Emerging industrial hubs have resulted in soil and dust pollution by trace elements, being a potential source and pathway for human exposure to nearby cities. The aim of this study was to determine the spatial distribution, levels, sources and health risk assessment of metals and arsenic in soils of Arak industrial area, Iran. A total of 235 topsoil (0–5 cm) samples were collected from the vicinity of Arak, and the concentrations of As, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cu and Cd were 152, 104, 93, 38, 14 and 1.2 mg kg−1, respectively, and exceeded the background values, with the exception of Cu. Values of pollution indexes revealed that most of the soils are especially enriched by As and Cd. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that Pb and Zn originated from common anthropogenic sources related to industrialization and mining, whereas Cu and Ni are probably associated with geological sources. Cd was mainly derived from the input of agricultural and industrial activities, and As should be attributed to residues in mining. Spatial risk maps showed the high risk of trace elements pollution in the order of As (100%) > Cd (62%) > Ni (12%) > Pb (5%) > Zn (4%) > Cu (0%). The results of the noncarcinogenic risk assessment showed that chronic daily intake in children and adults for ingestion pathway was higher than for dermal contact and inhalation. Values of hazard index (HI) for trace elements were below the safe level (HI ≤ 1), indicating that no noncarcinogenic risk threaten children and adults. Likewise, the total carcinogenic risk of Cd in both groups is less than the EPA threshold (1 × 10−6), indicating a low carcinogenic risk, however As (1 × 10−6 to 1 × 10−4) indicates an acceptable risk. •Sources and levels of trace elements in industrialized topsoils were studied in Iran.•Soils showed a high pollution degree of As and Cd according to pollution indexes.•Soil ingestion is the most exposure pathway, being children more exposed than adults.•The non-carcinogenic risk for children is seven times higher than for adults.•Total carcinogenic risk in both groups was lower than EPA threshold.