Abstract: Samples from twenty subway stations were collected and six heavy metals,Cr,Ni,Cu,Zn,Cd and Pb were determined.The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals in the subway dust were higher than the background values,and the concentrations were sorted as "first-floor samples > second-floor samples > street samples".The heavy metals contamination assessment was ranked as Pb ≫ Cd≈Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni.The carcinogen risk of Cr was slightly higher than the threshold values.The heavy meals sources in the subway dust might be derived from gasoline combustion,vehicle brakes,atmospheric deposition and wheel-rail abrasion,etc.Closer heavy metals sources and the transportation distance might play a vital role in the pollution situation.Especially,the extremely fine partial matters could travel a long haul through the ventilation system and subsided in the underground space.