To assess the health risk of heavy metals in surrounding soils of chromite mine of Sabzevar in the northeast of Iran, soil samples around the chromite mine were taken and the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Crtotal, Cr(VI), Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Ni were measured. The results revealed that the mean concentrations of heavy metals were as follows: Fe> Crtotal>Ni>Mn>Cu>Co>Pb>As>Cd>Cr(VI). The concentrations of Crtotal and Ni were 25 and 12 times higher than inherent values of the world, respectively. The correlation and sperate cluster analysis revealed a close relationship of Cr, Ni, and Co which confirms a common geogenic origin, while As, Pb, and Cd were found in a sperate cluster suggesting the more likely anthropogenic source. The results of non-carcinogenic health risk (HQ) showed that the HQ value of all studied metals at both age groups (kids and adults) was less than 1 and was within the safe limit; however, the relatively higher values of Fe and Ni in children revealed greater susceptibility of this group to heavy metals. Among the carcinogenic elements, Arsenic had the highest contribution to the cumulative risk (CR>10-6) and ingestion was found as the main route of As intake (more than 80%). These results demonstrate the higher vulnerability of children compared to adults. In general, the combination of geogenic and anthropogenic impacts plays a role in the soil contamination of the studied area. Therefore, monitoring the Cr(VI) and As and Cr are necessary in order to assess the human health and environmental risks.

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