ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Levels, Risk and Sources of Heavy Metals in Road
Dust from University Campus - A Case Study
of Xichang, Southwest China
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1
School of Information Science and Technology, Xichang University, Xichang, 615013, China
2
School of Environment and Resource, Xichang University, Xichang, 615013, China
Submission date: 2022-12-21
Final revision date: 2023-01-28
Acceptance date: 2023-02-02
Online publication date: 2023-03-08
Publication date: 2023-04-14
Corresponding author
Jinjin Wang
School of Environment and Resource, Xichang University, Xichang, 615013, China, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2023;32(3):2171-2180
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ABSTRACT
As the place where students live for the longest time, the levels, sources and health risks of heavy
metals in road dust from university campuses have not been widely studied. In the present study,
41 road dust samples were collected and analyzed by ICP-MS for Zn, V, Pb, Cr, Ni and Cu. The isotopic
composition of Pb was analyzed by MC-ICP MS. These heavy metals were specifically analyzed
using enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, principal component analysis, iso-sources model
and health risk assessment model. Zn and Pb pollution levels were high in road dust, and they were
defined as moderate enrichment and contaminated. The sources of Pb in road dust from university
campus were traffic exhaust, steel smelting, soil, and fly ash, accounting for 59.4%, 23.2%, 12.2%,
and 5.2%, respectively. The non-carcinogenic risk of female and male university students is safe,
but the carcinogenic risk of Cr needs to be concerned by the authorities.