Abstract
The concentrations, sources, compositional patterns, and risk assessments of PAHs in dust on abandoned automobiles at auto-workshops in three semi urban areas were studied. Dust samples were randomly collected from at least five car surfaces in automobile workshops located at Rumuodomaya-Ogale, Ekwulobia, and Awka between December 2019 and March 2020, and analysed for PAHs using the Buck M910 Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector. Car surface dust from Rumuodomaya-Ogale showed the highest PAH concentration of 2.348 µg/g in March 2020, while that of Awka had the lowest total PAH concentration of 0.129 µg/g in February 2020. Dust from the Ekwulobia consisted mostly of 3-ring PAHs throughout the month, except in January 2020. Rumuodomaya-Ogale dust had high BaPTEQ values, indicating a potential carcinogenic risk for automobile workers. Considerable cancer risk may arise from prolonged exposure of adult’s automobile workers to PAHs in dust via dermal contact and inhalation. The ingestion cancer risk values for children were higher than adult counterparts (except in Awka, December 2019). The principal component analysis suggested the influence of exhaust emissions on the source of PAHs in dusts of automobile workshops. There is a need for automobile workers to have and wear personal protection equipment (PPE) while on duty to reduce the risk associated with exposure to PAHs in dust particles.
Published Version
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