HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

Abstract

This study investigates the PAH levels in soils around five fuel stations namely: Kwararafa fuel station, Capaduck, Oasis and Ganaco fuel station all in Wukari local government area of Taraba State, Nigeria. The stratified sampling technique was applied in sample collection, extraction and purification by altra-sonication and column chromatography respectively. Quantification of PAHs content by means of GC-MS, The study revealed that the 5.83 μg/kg total composition of the 16 EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the test soil was ten times more than the 0.11 μg/kg content of the control soil sample, where dibenz[a,h]anthracene (0.827±0.174 μg/kg) and benz[a]pyrene (0.535±0.174 μg/kg) were the most abundant terms of toxicity based on benzo(a)pyrene-equivalents concentration. Nevertheless there is no human health risk due to inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact respectively.