Identification of priority factors for risk control of potentially toxic elements in re-suspended surface dust of a typical industrial city

Re -suspended surface dust (RSD) that accumulates potentially toxic elements (PTEs) can be transported to other areas, increasing environmental risk. The risks and sources of PTEs in the RSD of most industrial cities, as well as the priority of sources and pollutants to be controlled, are unknown. Xingtai, a typical industrial city, was taken as an instance. In this research, the sources of PTEs in the RSD were apportioned quantitatively using the positive matrix factorization model. The eco-health risks posed by the specific sources of PTEs were assessed using the Monte Carlo simulation method. The priority factors for controlling the risk of PTEs were identified. We found that the levels of all PTEs in Xingtai RSD exceeded the soil background values. Zn, Pb, and Co exhibited moderate to very high enrichment in 89.92 %, 81.84 %, and 100 % of samples, respectively. The three sources of PTEs identified in the RSD were traffic source, building source, natural and industrial mixed source, accounting for 38.04 %, 26.87 %, and 35.08 % of the total PTE concentrations, respectively. The ecological risk of PTEs in the RSD of the study area was serious. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of PTEs to minors in the area cannot be ignored. Traffic source was the priority source of ecological health risks, and Ni and Cr were the priority PTEs. • Re -suspended road dust has serious potentially toxic element pollution. • Potentially toxic elements pose considerable integrated eco-risks. • Identified traffic source as a priority control factor for toxic elements. • Ni and Cr are priority toxic elements in re-suspended surface dust. • Exposure duration is the main factor influencing minors' cancer risk.