This paper is the result of environmental geological survey engineering.

Objective 191 surface soil samples and 32 samples from 8 columnar profiles in the vicinity of a tin mining area were collected to determine the contents of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, As, and Hg elements; and the heavy metal pollution status and risks were systematically evaluated.

Methods The study adopted the Single Pollution Index method, Nemerow Comprehensive Pollution Index method, and Health Risk Assessment model to evaluate the pollution levels and human health risks in the area.

Results (1) The average contents of heavy metals in soils of the study area are in the order of As>Zn>Cr>Cu>Pb>Ni>Cd>Hg. As and Cd are the primary pollution elements. The former is comprehensively influenced by parent rock weathering, mining and smelting industry, and agricultural activities, while the latter is mainly affected by agricultural activities. Additionally, hydrological conditions control the vertical distribution of heavy metals. (2) The evaluation of heavy metal pollution reveals that As is the most seriously polluted element in the area, followed by Cd, and the remaining elements are predominantly unpolluted or slightly polluted. Overall, the heavy metals in the study area is mainly in the safe to slightly polluted range. (3) The health risk assessment shows the As in the soil is the primary non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic factor; oral ingestion is the main exposure pathway, and children’s health is more vulnerable to heavy metal pollution.

Conclusions The pollution and health risks in the target tin mining area are at a low level, and the overall situation is safe and controllable; however, the heavy metal pollution induced by agricultural activities requires attention.