Abstract: In order to accurately understand the pollution characteristics, sources and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soil of a certain area in northern Shanxi Province, the pollution characteristics of PAHs in the soil of the study area were analyzed. The characteristic ratio method was used to analyze the sources of PAHs in the soil, and the possible health risks caused by PAHs in the soil were evaluated. The results showed that the total content of 16 PAHs in the soil of the study area was 2.74~782.34 ng/g. The distribution of PAHs in the soil of the study area had strong spatial variability, and the variability of high-ring PAHs was the strongest. The PAHs in the soil of the study area are mainly derived from coal, biomass combustion and liquid fossil fuel combustion, and there are also some oil sources. The soil PAHs pollution in the study area showed lumpy and flaky, and the serious pollution areas were mostly concentrated areas of industrial and mining enterprises in the plain. There are differences in the degree of impact on the health risks of adults and children. Both have potential carcinogenic risks, but the carcinogenic health risks of adults are higher than those of children.