Abstract:To find out degree and harm of radionuclide pollution in soils of a rare earth smelter and surrounding environment. Distribution characteristics of 238U, 232Th, 226Ra and 40K in soil of a rare earth smelter were analyzed. Soil radionuclides in the study area were studied by geological accumulation index method, Nemero pollution index method and health risk assessment method. The results show that four radionuclides concentration range is 238U 50.73~6 275.00, 232Th 131.00~3 581.00, 226Ra 45.63~5 952.00, and 40K 59.90~1 065.00 Bq/kg, respectively. Due to natural leaching and leakage, concentrations of 238U, 232Th, 226Ra and 40K drop with increase of depth. Geological accumulation index method showes that 238U, 232Th and 226Ra at sampling sites No.4 and No.5 are the main pollution nuclides, and their evaluation indexes are (3.14, 2.81, 1.16), (5.19, 3.13, 4.91) respectively, belonging to heavy and very heavy pollution. Nemero composite pollution index method showes that sampling sites No. 4 and No. 5 are extremely polluted. According to analysis of health risk assessment model, health risk of oral ingestion route is higher than the acceptable range of human body, and health risk of inhalation route is within the acceptable range. Therefore, soil environment around a rare earth smelter has certain health risks to human body.