Abstract
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were assessed in shellfishes (whelk, oyster and periwinkle) from Kula, Rivers State, Nigeria. The PAHs determination was done using gas chromatography (GC) coupled with flame ionization detector (FID) (Hewlett Packard, Wilmington, DE, USA), powered with HP chemstation Rev. A09:01 (10206) software. Human health risk assessment models based on United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) was used to characterize risks of PAHs exposure to non cancer (Hazard Index) while and excess cancer risk (ECR). From the results, Benzo [a] Anthrancene (BaA) had highest concentrations in whelk (0.689±0.003) and Periwinkle (0.930±0.001) while Naphthalene had highest concentration in oyster (2.000±0.000). The Total concentration of PAHs in µ g/kg for whelk, oyster and periwinkle were 1.797±0.013, 3.977 ±0.024 and 1.564±0.017 while the estimated daily intake (EDI) of PAHs (mg/kg/day) via consumption of shell fish ranged from 2.00x10-4 to 6.40x10-2, 7.0x10-4 to 1.86 x10-1 and 0 to 8.64x10-2 far above oral reference dose (RFD) respectively. The toxic equivalents (TEQs) values were 1.276x10-4, 1.252x10-4 and 4.034x10-4 for whelk, oyster and periwinkle respectively, were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the screening value (SV) for shellfish 1.81x10-5mg/kg. The estimated excess cancer risk (ECR) obtained for whelk was (3.0x10-4), oyster (2.00x10-4) and periwinkle (3.24x10-4). These values were far above the USEPA acceptable (1x10-4). From this study, it can be deduced that bioaccumulation of PAHs in the shellfish is a potential health hazard to consumers. Carcinogenic indices indicated that daily Intake of contaminated shellfishes exposures the local populace to cancer risks.
Highlights
Sea foods are aquatic organisms that serve as major source of proteins to coastal communities around the globe (Serge and Andrew, 2018)
Human health risk assessment models based on United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) was used to characterize risks of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure to non cancer (Hazard Index) while and excess cancer risk (ECR)
PAHs can find their way into the marine environment through petroleum pollution, fallout from air and effluents from industrial/sewage treatment plants settle at sediments of estuaries, bio-accumulate in sea organisms and passed to humans through the food chain with high degree of toxicity (Esra, 2016)
Summary
Sea foods are aquatic organisms that serve as major source of proteins to coastal communities around the globe (Serge and Andrew, 2018). They are further divided into fish and shell fish. There are over 100 different chemical groups from PAHs emission that have ability to travel long distance resist biodegradation in the environment. They have the ability to bio-accumulate in living organisms (Poster et al, 2006; Orish et al, 2015; Tongo et al, 2017). This reaction that can lead to depletion in antioxidant enzymes and induction of oxidative stress leading to cataracts, kidney and liver damage, setting the stage for rapid aging and death of cells (Singh et al, 2008; Androutsopoulos et al, 2009)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
