Comprehensive assessment of potential toxic elements in surface dust of community playgrounds in Xi'an, China.

To identify the key factors for managing and controlling potential toxic elements (PTEs) in surface dust of urban community playgrounds, this study comprehensively analyzed the content, pollution characteristics, health risks, and sources of commonly concerned PTEs in surface dust of Xi'an community playgrounds. The average levels of Cd, Hg, Cu, Cr, Ba, Zn, and Pb in the dust were 2.2, 0.27, 1.4×10², 2.1×10², 1.7×10³, 2.9×10², 1.5×10² mg kg^-1, respectively, exceeding the soil background values. The main sources of PTEs in the dust were natural sources, weathering of entertainment facilities and building materials, traffic emissions, and industrial sources, accounting for 24.9%, 45.7%, 18.1%, and 11.3%, respectively. The contamination and ecological risk of PTEs in the dust were elevated, with Cd and industrial sources being the primary contributors. The non-carcinogenic risks for different age groups were within a safe range, but the cancer risk was high, especially for toddlers and the elderly. It is worth noting that the cancer risk calculated based on the minimum values of key exposure parameters for toddlers, preschool children, children, and teenagers exceeded the acceptable level. According to the results of source-oriented health risk assessment, the traffic sources have been identified as the main contributors of health risk, and Ni is a particularly concerned PTE. These findings can provide scientific basis for controlling PTEs pollution in community playgrounds and provide guidance for protecting residents' health.