Environmental impact and health risk assessment of heavy metals in street dust in Shenyang, Liaoning province

Based on spatial distribution characteristics of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in street dust in Shenyang, the exposure and risk assessment method of heavy metals in street dusts for children and adults were carried out using US EPA health risk assessment model. The results show that the heavy metals in street dust are mainly ingested by human bodies through hand-mouth ingestion, and then through skin absorption and breath suction. The order of non-cancer hazard indexes of heavy metals is Pb>Cd>Cu>Zn. The non-cancer hazard indexes and carcinogen risks of heavy metals are both lower than their threshold values, and it suggests that it will not harm the health. Non-cancer risk is higher for children than for adults. Now, Cd in street dust is not cancer risk in Shenyang, while its potential ecological hazard on children should be considered.