{"title":"Quantitative health risk evaluation of heavy metal contamination in urban green spaces: a case study of Nanchang's metropolitan core.","authors":"Yuexuan Wang, Xiangjun Wang, Changmao Long, Zhihong Zhang, Xianglei Cheng, Baojun Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s10653-025-02513-w","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Urban green spaces function as essential ecological infrastructures that not only facilitate recreational activities but also play a critical role in sustaining and improving urban environmental quality. However, health risks associated with these spaces in China remain insufficiently characterized. This study systematically collected 90 soil samples from park and roadside green spaces across five districts of Nanchang, utilizing X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for quantitative analysis of major heavy metal contaminants. The results indicated elevated concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cr in Donghu District soils, although all single-factor pollution indices (Pi) remained below 1.00. Comprehensive pollution assessment classified contamination levels as either mild (1.00 < P<sub>N</sub> ≤ 2.00) or moderate (2.00 < P<sub>N</sub> ≤ 3.00), with ecological risk indices (RI) consistently below 30, signifying low ecological hazards. Exposure pathway analysis identified oral ingestion as the primary route of heavy metal intake for Nanchang residents, followed by dermal contact and inhalation. Children exhibited higher potential non-carcinogenic risks compared to adults, with Cd specifically posing oral exposure risks to pediatric populations. Cumulative carcinogenic risk assessments for Cr, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb yielded values of 1.57 × 10<sup>-6</sup> and 1.23 × 10<sup>-6</sup> respectively, slightly exceeding the 10<sup>-6</sup> safety threshold yet remaining within low-risk parameters. These findings underscore the necessity for enhanced environmental monitoring in core urban green spaces and provide crucial evidence-based insights for developing region-specific public health interventions, ultimately contributing to the formulation of scientifically grounded strategies for urban ecological management and population health protection.</p>","PeriodicalId":11759,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Geochemistry and Health","volume":"47 6","pages":"196"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Environmental Geochemistry and Health","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-025-02513-w","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Urban green spaces function as essential ecological infrastructures that not only facilitate recreational activities but also play a critical role in sustaining and improving urban environmental quality. However, health risks associated with these spaces in China remain insufficiently characterized. This study systematically collected 90 soil samples from park and roadside green spaces across five districts of Nanchang, utilizing X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for quantitative analysis of major heavy metal contaminants. The results indicated elevated concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cr in Donghu District soils, although all single-factor pollution indices (Pi) remained below 1.00. Comprehensive pollution assessment classified contamination levels as either mild (1.00 < PN ≤ 2.00) or moderate (2.00 < PN ≤ 3.00), with ecological risk indices (RI) consistently below 30, signifying low ecological hazards. Exposure pathway analysis identified oral ingestion as the primary route of heavy metal intake for Nanchang residents, followed by dermal contact and inhalation. Children exhibited higher potential non-carcinogenic risks compared to adults, with Cd specifically posing oral exposure risks to pediatric populations. Cumulative carcinogenic risk assessments for Cr, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb yielded values of 1.57 × 10-6 and 1.23 × 10-6 respectively, slightly exceeding the 10-6 safety threshold yet remaining within low-risk parameters. These findings underscore the necessity for enhanced environmental monitoring in core urban green spaces and provide crucial evidence-based insights for developing region-specific public health interventions, ultimately contributing to the formulation of scientifically grounded strategies for urban ecological management and population health protection.
期刊介绍：
Environmental Geochemistry and Health publishes original research papers and review papers across the broad field of environmental geochemistry. Environmental geochemistry and health establishes and explains links between the natural or disturbed chemical composition of the earth’s surface and the health of plants, animals and people.
Beneficial elements regulate or promote enzymatic and hormonal activity whereas other elements may be toxic. Bedrock geochemistry controls the composition of soil and hence that of water and vegetation. Environmental issues, such as pollution, arising from the extraction and use of mineral resources, are discussed. The effects of contaminants introduced into the earth’s geochemical systems are examined. Geochemical surveys of soil, water and plants show how major and trace elements are distributed geographically. Associated epidemiological studies reveal the possibility of causal links between the natural or disturbed geochemical environment and disease. Experimental research illuminates the nature or consequences of natural or disturbed geochemical processes.
The journal particularly welcomes novel research linking environmental geochemistry and health issues on such topics as: heavy metals (including mercury), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and mixed chemicals emitted through human activities, such as uncontrolled recycling of electronic-waste; waste recycling; surface-atmospheric interaction processes (natural and anthropogenic emissions, vertical transport, deposition, and physical-chemical interaction) of gases and aerosols; phytoremediation/restoration of contaminated sites; food contamination and safety; environmental effects of medicines; effects and toxicity of mixed pollutants; speciation of heavy metals/metalloids; effects of mining; disturbed geochemistry from human behavior, natural or man-made hazards; particle and nanoparticle toxicology; risk and the vulnerability of populations, etc.
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