# Toxic Metals in Surface Dust in Underground Parking Garages: Pollution Status, Risk and Disease Burden Assessment, and Source Apportionment

## TL;DR

This study examines toxic metals in underground parking garage dust, finding significant health risks and pollution levels for nearby residents.

## Contribution

The study is the first to assess toxic metal pollution, health risks, and sources in underground parking garage surface dust.

## Key findings

- Toxic metal concentrations in UPG dust exceeded safe levels, with Cr, Cu, Cd, Zn, Sb, Pb, and Hg showing high accumulation.
- Children face non-carcinogenic risks above acceptable levels, and Cr contributes most to the carcinogenic disease burden.
- Vehicle activities, coal use, and aging materials are the main sources of metal pollution in UPG dust.

## Abstract

Surface dust serves as a significant carrier and potential source of various pollutants in urban environments. However, limited attention has been paid to toxic metals in underground parking garages’ (UPGs) surface dust. In this study, thirty surface dust samples were collected from UPGs to determine the toxic metals contents, their risk and disease burden to local residents, and their potential source. The mean contents of V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Sb, Pb, Hg, and As were 68.06, 126.48, 8.73, 27.68, 76.25, 287.07, 0.74, 4.28, 172.67, 0.24, and 8.66 mg/kg, respectively. Accumulation index revealed that the geoaccumulation index of Cr, Cu, Cd, Zn, Sb, Pb, and Hg ranged from 0.52 to 1.85. Pollution load index verified that the surface dust was slightly (56.67%), moderately (30.00%), or heavily polluted (13.33%). Risk assessment revealed that the total non-carcinogenic risks for children all exceeded the acceptable level (HI > 1.0). Notably, the carcinogenic burden reached 12.9 disability-adjusted life years per 100,000 population, with Cr contributing 84.1%. Furthermore, these toxic metals mainly derived from vehicle-related activities, use of coal, and the aging of decoration materials, and their accumulation in UPGs’ surface dust was almost unaffected by the essential conditions of residential areas.