Soil concentrations of Polychlorinated Biphenyl in a typical Nigerian University environment and its risk assessment

Abstract

In this study, concentration of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs) around a university environment was investigated. The study further assessed the risk assessment associated with human contact with the soil using health indexes such as Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) from human unconscious ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact with the contaminated soil. Soil samples were obtained at different location in Afe Babalola University and analyzed for PCBs. Quantification of PCBs was carried out using A gas chromatograph coupled to a mass selective detector (GC- MS) operated on Electron Ionization (EI) mode. The result showed the PCBs concentrations in the soil samples analyzed ranged 0.01–4.39 ng/g. The TEQs in the five soil samples follow a trend of SS-C (0.0012114)> SS-E (0.0009194)> SS-A (0.0009137)> SS-B (0.0008242)> SS-D (0.0006226). The ILCR from accidental ingestion and dermal contact in adult were higher than the permissible limit stipulated by WHO. The HQ obtained in adult were lower than unity, however, the mean HQ value obtained for children was greater than unity which implies high non-carcinogenic risk for children contact with the soil. The study revealed soil around university is an important sink of PCBs emanating from the university.