Distribution, sources and exposure risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils, and indoor and outdoor dust from Port Harcourt city, Nigeria

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the concentrations, composition, sources, and potential risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils, and indoor and outdoor dust from Port Harcourt city in Nigeria. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for the detection and quantification of PAH species in the samples. The concentrations of the US EPA 16 PAHs plus 2-methyl-naphthalene (∑17 PAHs) in soils, and indoor and outdoor dust from Port Harcourt city ranged from 240 to 38 400, 276 to 9130 and 44 to 13 200 μg kg⁻¹ (dry weight, d.w.) respectively. The PAH concentrations in these matrices followed the sequence: soil > indoor dust > outdoor dust. The composition of PAHs in soils and dust (indoor and outdoor) showed remarkable differences with prominence of 3- and 5-ring PAHs. The estimated carcinogenic risk to the residents arising from exposure to these concentrations of PAHs in soils, and indoor and outdoor dust from Port Harcourt was above the acceptable target cancer risk value of 10⁻⁶. We concluded that these sites require clean-up, remedial actions and implementation of stringent pollution control measures with the intention of reducing the undesirable impacts of PAHs on both the ecosystem and humans.