Distribution and health risk assessment on dietary exposure of PAHs in vegetables and fruits of Asir, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

GC/MS/MS was used to examine quantities, sources, and hazards of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in vegetable, leafy vegetables and fruit samples collected from Asir (Saudi Arabia). PAHs were varied from 10.11 to 604.43 (average 147.04), 38.35–798.21 (average 261.30), and 10.32–204.85 (average 90.65) ng/g, respectively. The order of ∑FPAH (fossil fuel PAHs) was Coriander > Eggplant > Grape, with 763.31, 575.93, and 204.85 ng/g, respectively. However, the order of ∑CARC (carcinogenic PAHs) was Carrot > Pear > Dill with 404.73, 35.91, and 34.01 ng/g, respectively. In addition, the order of ∑COMB (combustion PAHs) was cauliflower > lettuce > banana, with 42.31, 69.62, and 11.61 ng/g, respectively. Generally, the order of different PAH categories was ∑FPAHs > ∑CARC > ∑COMB. The hazard index (HI) for phenanthrene, Pyrene, fluoranthene, and anthracene was 10.73, 2.25, 1.65, and 1.13, respectively, indicating undesirable consequences. Phenanthrene recorded HQ > 1, indicating a probable deleterious effect, and other PAHs recorded HQ of about one, indicating that no harmful health effects from them. The diagnostic ratio of PAHs in fruits and vegetables indicated pyrolytic and petrogenic origins, via incomplete combustion of organic components. Finally, PAHs recorded in our samples were slightly greater than other regions of Saudi Arabia and that recorded in Asian and African countries.