Abstract
Background.Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental organic contaminants generated by incomplete combustion of organic materials that are widely distributed in soils.Objectives. This study represents the first attempt to examine the health toxicity of 16 detected PAHs in contaminated soil, via different exposure pathways to populations in northwestern Algeria.Methods.The toxicity equivalency quotients (TEQ) of PAHs were evaluated. The carcinogenic risk assessment of incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) from ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure pathways to each PAH in soil are described.Results.Incremental lifetime cancer risk values were in the upper limit of the tolerable range (10−6–10−4) for adults and children. The total cancer risk of PAH-contaminated soils for children, adolescents and adults was 2.48×10−5, 2.04×10−5 and 3.12×10−5mg.kg−1d−1, respectively. The highest potential cancer risks were identified for adults and children, with adolescents having the lowest risks. Across exposure pathways, the dermal contact and ingestion pathways had the greatest contributions to the carcinogenic risk of human exposure to PAHs.Conclusions.Further research and guidelines are needed for risk assessments of PAHs in agricultural, residential/urban, and industrial areas, and further risk assessments should include risks posed by exposure through air.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Highlights
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of organic molecules that contain more than two fused aromatic benzene rings.[1]The majority of PAHs present in the environment are due to incomplete combustion and pyrolysis of organic matter.[2,3] Recently, toxicity studies of 16 PAHs listed as priority pollutants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have received considerable attention.[4,5,6] These PAHs are of particular interest due to their mutagenic activities as some are classified as probable human carcinogens and others are potentially carcinogenic.[7]
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental organic contaminants generated by incomplete combustion of organic materials that are widely distributed in soils
Intake daily contacts (CDIs) and carcinogenic risks (ILCRs) for each PAH for three age groups and exposure pathways in the study area were evaluated based on Equation
Summary
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of organic molecules that contain more than two fused aromatic benzene rings.[1]The majority of PAHs present in the environment are due to incomplete combustion and pyrolysis of organic matter.[2,3] Recently, toxicity studies of 16 PAHs listed as priority pollutants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have received considerable attention.[4,5,6] These PAHs are of particular interest due to their mutagenic activities as some are classified as probable human carcinogens and others are potentially carcinogenic.[7]. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental organic contaminants generated by incomplete combustion of organic materials that are widely distributed in soils. This study represents the first attempt to examine the health toxicity of 16 detected PAHs in contaminated soil, via different exposure pathways to populations in northwestern Algeria. The carcinogenic risk assessment of incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) from ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure pathways to each PAH in soil are described. Incremental lifetime cancer risk values were in the upper limit of the tolerable range (10-6–10-4) for adults and children. The total cancer risk of PAH-contaminated soils for children, adolescents and adults was 2.48x10-5, 2.04x10-5 and 3.12x10-5mg.kg-1d-1, respectively. Health risk assessment, incremental lifetime cancer risk, ILCR, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, soil pollution, total cancer risk. Accepted June 12, 2021 J Health Pollution 31: (210914) 2021 © Pure Earth
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