Pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of heavy metal in the soil of a pyrite mine field.

To study the characteristics of heavy metal pollution in the soil of a pyrite mine site and evaluate the potential risk of heavy metal pollution to human health, the pollution degree of the site was evaluated by a single factor pollution index and multi-factor comprehensive pollution index, the sources of pollutants were analyzed by principal component analysis and correlation analysis, and health risk assessment on excessive pollutants was conducted. The results showed that As, Hg, Pb, and Cr⁶⁺ in the site exceeded the standard to different degrees, the surface soil was moderately polluted and the deep soil was slightly polluted. Excessive pollutants As and Pb were mainly from pyrite, while Hg and Cr⁶⁺ were imported pollution. Health risks of As, Pb, Cr⁶⁺ and Hg in the site all exceeded the acceptable risk level, which has posed a threat to the health of employees of the enterprises on the site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]