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Enuneku A, Ogbeide O, Okpara B, Kubeyinje BF, Job O, Asemota CO, Imoobe T, Ezemonye LI. Ingestion and Dermal Cancer Risk via Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils in an Oil-Producing Community, Niger Delta, Nigeria. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:261-271. [PMID: 33074553 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
There is an intrinsic link between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) accumulated in soils and increased health risk to humans after exposure to contaminated soil via ingestion, inhalation of particulates carrying PAHs, and direct contact with polluted soils. However, the assessment of PAH contamination in most developing countries fails to consider health risk assessment. Therefore, a comprehensive study was conducted to determine the concentration, source, toxicity, and human health risks of 16 PAHs in an urban area in Warri, Delta State, in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The results showed varying contamination levels for PAH in soil samples from all sampling points, with benzo[a]anthracene (BaP; at 338.81 μg/kg) being the most abundant at all 9 sampling stations. The highest total concentration of PAH was observed at station 5 (1230.98 μg/kg), which was closest to a flow station. Further comparison with PAH contamination standards showed that soils from stations 1 and 2 were weakly contaminated (<600 μg/kg), and soil samples from stations 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 were moderately contaminated (<1000 μg/kg). Soil samples from stations 5 and 8 were observed to be heavily contaminated (>1000 μg/kg). The BaP estimates for soil samples obtained for stations 3 to 9 were higher than the BaP soil screening value (15 μg/kg), indicating a carcinogenic potential of soil samples. The results also showed that the incremental lifetime cancer risk estimates for PAH in the soil for adults and children were above the recommended threshold (10-4 ) for ingestion and dermal contact, implying that exposure to contaminated soil could lead to cancers in adults and children. Currently, there are no regional or national standards for PAHs in soil that would indicate an increased likelihood for human exposure and subsequent health issues. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:261-271. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Enuneku
- Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
- Laboratory for Ecotoxicology and Environmental Forensics, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Ozekeke Ogbeide
- Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
- Laboratory for Ecotoxicology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontain, South Africa
| | - Benjamin Okpara
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Bawo Frank Kubeyinje
- National Centre for Energy and Environment, Energy Commission of Nigeria, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Oluwafunke Job
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Charming Osaro Asemota
- Laboratory for Ecotoxicology and Environmental Forensics, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Tunde Imoobe
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye
- Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
- Laboratory for Ecotoxicology and Environmental Forensics, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
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