Keywords: 
• cadmium /
• soil /
• health risk assessment /
• sensitivity analysis /
• Zhundong coal mine region

Abstract: Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal element, which can affect human health through the amplification via food chain. The development of mineral resources produces a series of problems of heavy metal pollution in Zhundong Region of Xinjiang, China. However, the health risk assessment of Cd element remains unclear. In this study, the geo-accumulation index, the methods of potential ecological risk assessment, health risk assessment of USA EPA, and the spatial statistical analysis were used to investigate and evaluate the pollution situation, the ecological risk and human health risk of Cd in the Hongshaquan and Beishan coal mining areas of Zhundong Region of Xinjiang, China. The results showed that: 1) Cd contents in soil of Zhundong Region were higher than that of the second level of national heavy metal pollution standard. Zhundong Region has the high Cd pollution level. 2) Ecological risk (RI) and geoaccumulation index (I_geo)show that Cd pollution was extremely strong with high ecological risk in the study area. 3) Cd pollution level and ecological risk showed obvious spatial heterogeneity, with their contents sorted by the coal yard >residential quarters of mining area > Jijihu Village > Queren Town. 4) The intake by mouth and hand was the most common way of Cd exposure. Children have the highest risk of Cd exposure among people. 5) The results of human health risk assessment showed that Cd content was less than the carcinogenic limit values of Cd pollution in study region. 6) 0-30 km around the mining area was a high sensitive region of Cd against human health. In conclusion, the development of mineral resources produces Cd pollution in Zhundong Region of Xinjiang. Then this pollution already affected human health and imposed the highest risk of Cd exposure to children. Although Cd content was less than the carcinogenic limit values of Cd pollution, the local government departments should develop some strategies to control Cd pollution.