Heavy metal pollution risk of desulfurized steel slag as a soil amendment in cycling use of solid wastes

•Heavy metal pollution risk of desulfurized steel slag (DS) as soil amendment was evaluated both in field and pot experiments.•The addition of DS could increase the content of Cr but do not increase the contents of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in soil.•DS application could alter bioavailable and chemical forms of heavy metals in soil and fulvic acid could further reduce the heavy metal pollution risk of DS in agricultural use.•The use of DS in agriculture is safe and feasible technology if it was applied properly.