An integrated analysis on source-exposure-health risk of heavy metals in an e-waste region

Coupling sources, exposure and health risk assessment of heavy metals in agriculture soils is critical for mitigation strategies. In this study, an intergraded approach to link these three modules (source, exposure and health risk) was developed, taking a former e-waste recycling region in China as a case study. Results found that concentrations of Cd (0.03-9.20 mg kg^-1) and Cu (17.77-1122.87 mg kg^-1) in agricultural soils were above the threshold of safe levels. Both natural and anthrophonic sources contributed to these metal accumulations. Parent materials and pesticide, fertilize application (F1), industrial discharge (F2) and traffic emission (F3) account for 46.6, 22.2, and 31.2%, respectively, of the total metal accumulation. For the exposure, the contributions of these three sources have been changed to 28.1, 19.0, and 52.9%, respectively. Despite the industrial discharge contributes the least, it results in the most to the total cancer risks (43.5%). It suggested that more focus on the reduction of industrial discharge is crucial for human health, especially for these e-waste recycling regions where suffering from industrial discharge despite it may bring income.