Authors :
Muhyideen Oloyede; Precious Nwobidi Ede
Volume/Issue :
Volume 5 - 2020, Issue 8 - August
Google Scholar :
http://bitly.ws/9nMw
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/32x8h4H
DOI :
10.38124/IJISRT20AUG324
Abstract :
The purpose of this study was to determine
concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs) in air samples in Port Harcourt metropolis,
Rivers State, Nigeria, evaluate their potential risks to
human health and identify pollution sources by
characterizing the PAHs. Sixteen polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons were measured with a total concentration
range of 0 to 9,589 mg/kg in the rainy season and 0.46 to
131mg/kg range in the dry season. High molecular
weight PAHs dominated the PAH profiles accounting
for 91% in dry season and 45% in the wet season. The
overall assessment of the ratios of LMW to HMW of
minimum, maximum and mean concentrations
indicated pyrogenic sources. Benzo (a) pyrene
equivalent (BaPeq) analysis showed that benzo (a)
pyrene, DiBenzo (a,h) antracene and Indeno (1.2.3-cd)
pyrene contributed the highest cancer toxicity with 94%
and 85% in wet and dry seasons, respectively. The total
incremental lifetime cancer risks of PAHs ranged from
0 to 4.90 with a median value of 3.37 x10-2
in wet
season; while in the dry season, ILCR of PAHs ranged
from 1.62 x10-5
to 7.42x10-3 with a median value of 1.15
x 10-3
. These values showed pervasive pollution
indicating a major carcinogenic risk of PAHs. Mean
ILCR in wet season was 3.37 x10-2 (33,700 x10-6
)
meaning 1 in every 30 persons in the study area is
estimated to develop cancer. In the dry season, mean
ILCR was 1.15 x10-3
(1,150 x10-6
) meaning 1 in every
870 persons in the study area is estimated to develop
cancer.
The purpose of this study was to determine
concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs) in air samples in Port Harcourt metropolis,
Rivers State, Nigeria, evaluate their potential risks to
human health and identify pollution sources by
characterizing the PAHs. Sixteen polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons were measured with a total concentration
range of 0 to 9,589 mg/kg in the rainy season and 0.46 to
131mg/kg range in the dry season. High molecular
weight PAHs dominated the PAH profiles accounting
for 91% in dry season and 45% in the wet season. The
overall assessment of the ratios of LMW to HMW of
minimum, maximum and mean concentrations
indicated pyrogenic sources. Benzo (a) pyrene
equivalent (BaPeq) analysis showed that benzo (a)
pyrene, DiBenzo (a,h) antracene and Indeno (1.2.3-cd)
pyrene contributed the highest cancer toxicity with 94%
and 85% in wet and dry seasons, respectively. The total
incremental lifetime cancer risks of PAHs ranged from
0 to 4.90 with a median value of 3.37 x10-2
in wet
season; while in the dry season, ILCR of PAHs ranged
from 1.62 x10-5
to 7.42x10-3 with a median value of 1.15
x 10-3
. These values showed pervasive pollution
indicating a major carcinogenic risk of PAHs. Mean
ILCR in wet season was 3.37 x10-2 (33,700 x10-6
)
meaning 1 in every 30 persons in the study area is
estimated to develop cancer. In the dry season, mean
ILCR was 1.15 x10-3
(1,150 x10-6
) meaning 1 in every
870 persons in the study area is estimated to develop
cancer.
