Ecological Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Farmland Soil of Changchun New Area

In order to understand the status of soil heavy metal pollution and its impact on human health, the degree of soil heavy metal pollution in the Changchun New Area and the associated ecological risk and health risk were evaluated using the geo-accumulation index method, potential ecological risk index method, and health risk assessment model. The results showed that the average contents of eight heavy metals in the soil were higher than their background values in Changchun City, with different degrees of accumulation. The soil of Changchun New Area showed Hg and Cd pollution, with ecological risks. The average geo-accumulation index of Hg was 0.43. reflecting light to medium pollution, and the risk index ranged from 42 to 806, reflecting moderate to strong ecological risk. The level of Cd pollution was found to be light. In contrast, the soil was free of Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Cu pollution, with no apparent risk. However, they all exceeded the reference value of soil treatment proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (10(-6)). Therefore, prevention measures for heavy metal pollution should be further strengthened.