Ecological and human health risks of potentially toxic elements across land uses in a dust-prone region of Central Iran

Key Points

• Ecological and human health risks from toxic elements are significantly elevated in dust-prone regions.
• Concentrations of toxic elements were notably higher in agricultural and industrial land uses compared to urban areas.
• Assessment of soil and dust samples across multiple land uses revealed concerning contamination levels.
• Findings suggest that targeted interventions are necessary to mitigate risks associated with toxic elements.