An Integrated Assessment of Phthalic Acid Esters and Phenolic Compounds as Priority Concern Pollutants in Raw and Conventionally Treated Water in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) and phenolic compounds (PCs) exist in water bodies due to the discharge of polluted wastewater from industrial, agricultural and domestic activities into water bodies. They also occur as a result of natural phenomena. These compounds are known to be toxic and inflict both severe and long?lasting effects on both humans and animals. They act as carcinogens and cause damage to the red blood cells and the liver, even at low concentrations. For this cause, this research was carried out to assess these compounds as priority concern pollutants in raw and conventionally treated water (CTW) in Plateau State, Nigeria. Raw and treated water samples were collected from Pankshin, Shendam and Jos dams. A combination of High Performance Liquid Chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze the two categories of pollutants. The results obtained showed that almost all the PAEs were above the given permissible limit (PL) as given by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The PCs were however below the given PL. it was discovered that out of the 12 PAEs and PCs detected, only 3 (1 PCs and 2 PAEs) were still detected in the CTW samples, proving that the method of treatment considerably reduced the concentrations of the pollutants. However, the reoccurrence of some of the contaminants proved the method of treatment was not completely effective. It was then recommended that other sophisticated method be utilized.