Multimedia distribution and health risk assessment of typical organic pollutants in a retired industrial park

The overall cross-media risk evaluation of organic pollutants in retired industrial parks is insufficiently recognized. In this study, 11 semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and 27 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured in 531 soil and groundwater samples taken from a retired industrial park by coast in Zhejiang Province, China. Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), benzene, and ethylbenzene were identified as the critical pollutants in the soil, while TPHs, 1,2-dichloropropane (1,2-DCP), toluene, benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), and benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF) were identified as critical pollutants in the groundwater for exceeding China national standards. The spatial correlation between the concentrations of organic pollutants in soil and groundwater was explored by employing the Geodetector model. Based on the results of spatial interpolation, high-risk hotspots regarding soil and groundwater pollution were identified. Moreover, the possible harm to human health of the critical pollutants were also under evaluation. Among various critical pollutants, benzene, ethylbenzene, and DEHP in soil, and 1,2-DCP in groundwater, were the main contributors to the overall health risk of multimedia pollution. This study developed a comprehensive approach to assess the risks posed by specific organic toxicants in various environmental media. The findings of this work can serve as a valuable reference for future management strategies in retired industrial parks.