Abstract: The spent fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts generated from 19 FCC units in different regions of China were collected, the heavy metal contents and leaching concentrations analyzed, and the main metal pollutants, pollution characteristics and potential risks discussed. The results were as follows: The main metal pollutants in spent FCC catalyst were nickel, vanadium, antimony, cobalt and zinc. The total concentration and leaching concentration of main metal pollutants varied great among different facilities. The leaching concentration of nickel, vanadium and antimony were comparatively higher, which were 0.004-3.171, 0.130-39.490, 0.042-8.099 mg/L respectively. The metals leaching concentrations from spent FCC catalyst could meet the criteria to enter the landfills as hazardous waste, whilst the pH in leaching solution was too low to enter hazardous waste landfill which need pretreatment. If a pile of spent FCC catalyst were not environmentally managed but stored on ground for a long period, the antimony would be released, thus endangering the groundwater and leading to certain potential health risk. The nickel had no similar effect.