Open AccessSource Apportionment and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Black Carbon Monitored in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Author(s) -
Muhyideen Oloyede,
Precious N. Ede
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of innovative science and research technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2456-2165
DOI - 10.38124/ijisrt20aug324
Subject(s) - pyrene , dry season , environmental chemistry , port harcourt , benzo(a)pyrene , wet season , environmental science , chemistry , pollution , dry weight , toxicology , zoology , biology , organic chemistry , horticulture , ecology , socioeconomics , sociology
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.