Health risk assessment of phthalate esters and polychlorinated biphenyls from marine plastic pollution in coastal areas of Lagos, Nigeria.

Abstract

Marine plastic pollution, a major public health issue worldwide, releases toxic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) causing endocrine disruption, cancers, and other adverse effects. However, research on these compounds in the Nigerian marine environment is limited. Using a cross-sectional design and incorporating a laboratory component, this study aimed to assess the health risks associated with marine plastic pollution at Orimedu, Idado, and Eleko along the coastline of Lagos, Nigeria. A total of three coastal water and sediment composite samples were collected over 10m from the shore into the ocean at each study area. The samples were analyzed for concentration levels of six phthalate esters (PEs) and 23 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) after preparation. Health risk assessment was also computed using risk assessment models developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Results obtained were compared to the World Health Organization's (WHO) standards for cancer risk (1.0 × 10-5) and non-cancer risk (≤ 1.0). Eleko had the highest concentrations of both PEs (24.89 ± 0.01mg/L of DIOP) and PCBs (0.06 ± 0.01 of PCB 206-2,2',3,3',4,4'5,5',6-nonachlorobiphenyl) in the water samples, while in the sediment samples, Idado had the highest PE (69.00 ± 0.05 of DIOP) and Orimedu was found with the highest PCB (0.09 ± 0.03 of PCB 180-2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorobiphenyl). Most of the PEs and PCBs were above the limits set by the WHO. Further studies are needed to address the health risk assessment of PEs and PCBs, especially in children and adults, in the coastline communities of Lagos.