To investigate the pollution status of arsenic and cadmium in the surrounding area of Daye copper and iron smelter in Huangshi city, Hubei Province, and to evaluate the health risk level of arsenic and cadmium exposure around the mining area.

The pollution status of arsenic and cadmium in environmental media was evaluated by single factor pollution index method and ground accumulation index method, and the health risk assessment model of human exposure pollutants was used to evaluate the health risk of arsenic and cadmium via different exposure pathways.

The single factor pollution index (P_i) of arsenic and cadmium in indoor air and atmosphere were 2.47 and 2.67 (2 < P_i < 3, moderate pollution), respectively, and the P_i of heavy metal arsenic and cadmium in surface water were 1.50 and 1.21, respectively (1 < P_i < 2, mild pollution) in the 10 km range of downwind to southeast of the smelter. The geoaccumulation index (I_geo) of arsenic in sediment samples was 3.87 (3 < I_geo < 4, severe pollution), the I_geo of cadmium was 9.07 (I_geo > 5, severe pollution), the Igeo of arsenic in dust samples was 1.89 (1 < I_geo < 2, moderate pollution), the I_geo of cadmium was 4.80 (4 < I_geo < 5, severe pollution), the I_geo of arsenic in soil samples was 0.27 (0 < I_geo < 1, no moderate pollution), and the I_geo of cadmium was 2.57 (2 < I_geo < 3, moderate-severe pollution). The hazard index (HI) of non-carcinogenic risk of arsenic and cadmium in residents was 11.75 and 1.03, respectively. Exposure to arsenic and cadmium in this area had a potential non-carcinogenic risk to human health. The hazard quotient (HQ) of non-carcinogenic risk of arsenic and cadmium ingested through the digestive tract was 9.89 and 1.03, respectively, and the HQ of respiratory intake was 1.86 and 8.74 × 10^-4, respectively. The HQ of skin contact was 7.47×10^-4 and 2.91×10^-4, respectively. The total carcinogenic risk index (TCR) of arsenic and cadmium was 1.53×10^-3 and 2.15×10^-3, respectively(TCR > 1.00×10^-4). The carcinogenic risk index (R) of arsenic and cadmium intake through digestive tract was 1.53×10^-3 and 2.15×10^-3, respectively. The R value through respiratory tract was 4.10×10^-5 and 1.89×10^-6 respectively, and the R value through skin contact was 4.72×10^-8 and 1.20×10^-7, respectively.

The environmental media in the range of 10 km to the southeast of the smelter are polluted by arsenic and cadmium, and the effects of arsenic and cadmium exposure on the health of residents in the area exceed the acceptable level. The non-carcinogenic risk level and carcinogenic risk level of arsenic and cadmium exposure to residents in this area are as follows: intake through digestive tract > inhalation through respiratory tract > exposure through skin.