Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls in ambient air and solid residues around a municipal solid waste open burning site

Abstract

Open burning of municipal solid waste is a common practice in developing countries of Africa, and combustion of these wastes is an important source of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) emission in the ambient air. This study determined the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls in ambient air and solid residues in the soil around a municipal solid waste (MSW) open burning site in Nigeria. Air samples were collected around the vicinity of the waste site using polyurethane foam (PUF) passive samplers, and solid residue samples were obtained at different locations at the burning site. Quantification of PCBs was carried out using GC–MS operated in selected ion monitoring mode. Result showed the ambient ∑ PCB concentration range of 3.12–5.04 ng/ m3. Also, ∑ PCBs in the solid residue ranged from 23.72 ng/g to 28.66 ng/g. The daily inhalation exposure dose from inhalation of PCBs in the ambient air was 0.3 pg TEQ kg−1 day−1 for children and 0.09 pg TEQ kg−1 day−1 for adult. The mean values of Hazard Quotient (HQ) calculated from accidental ingestion of PCB of the solid residue were $${4.7\times 10}^{-5}$$ and $${7.5\times 10}^{-5}$$ for adult and children, respectively, while the calculated Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) are above the WHO permissible limit. In conclusion, the study may be used to evaluate the environmental contribution PCBs from MSW open burning in Nigeria