IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL PROCESSES (IJCCP )

E-I SSN 2545-5265
P- ISSN 2695-1916
VOL. 11 NO. 2 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijccp.vol.11.no2.2025.pg1.10

---

Evaluation of the Toxicity Level of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Telfairia occidentalis Planted in Some Ekpeye Communities Rivers State, Nigeria

OKIDHIKA, Clinton Umebhidhi, OGAH, Isaac Eguarkhide

---

Abstract

The bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food crops is viewed as one of the most dangerous threats confronting humanity due to their persistence in the environment and their resultant mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic effect on the health of human beings. The concentrations of sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 PAHs) were determined in Telfairia occidentalis leaves, where samples were collected from Ahoada, Okporowo, Idu- Ekpeye and Ubeta communities. The results of mutagenic equivalent (MEQ) of the study ranged between 5.01 x10-4 ppm (mg/kg) and 1.82 x 10-3mg/kg (ppm) while that of toxic equivalent (TEQ) ranged between 1.88 x 10-4ppm (mg/kg) and 3.71 x 10-3mg/kg (ppm). The highest contributions to the MEQ and TEQ and their respective potentials (MP and CP) which is the capacity to cause modifications in human’s DNA thus forming PAH-DNA adduct thereby resulting in mutations and cancer were made in the wet season by IcdP contributing 64% MP and 60 % CP and those of dry season were made by DahA contributing 61% MP and 90% CP. These dominant PAH compounds ie IcdP, DahA, BghiP, BbF, BaP, etc with diagnostic ratios indicated artisanal refineries and other minor contributory sources. Due to the effect of soot toxicants, individuals are to limit exposure while Governments need to take strict measures to reduce the activities of artisanal refineries.

---

References:

Adeniji, A. O., Okoh, O. O., & Okoh, A. I. (2018). Distribution pattern and health risk assessment
of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the water and sediment of Algoa Bay, South Africa.
Environmental Geochemistry Health, 4(3), 1303 – 1320.
Al-Nasir, F., Hijazin, T.J., Al-Alawi, M.M., Jiries, A., Al-Madanat, O.Y., Mayyas, A., A. Al-
Dalain, S., Al-Dmour, R., Alahmad, A., & Batarseh, M.I. (2022). Accumulation, source
identification, and cancer risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in
different Jordanian vegetables. Toxics, 10, 643.
Anyanwu, R. C., Okoye, C. O., & Agbazue, V. E. (2021). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in
edible vegetables: A review on sources, toxicity, and mitigation. Environmental Science
and Pollution Research, 28(14), 15893-15905.
Belonwu, D.C., Duru, M.K.C., Adenikinju, A.T.O., Alisa, C.O., Dawodu, O.T., Ike, C.C., Eze,
A.A., & Kalu, W.O. (2020). Studies on physicochemical and microbial profiles of selected
hotel swimming pools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Asian Journal of
Environment & Ecology, 11(3), 1-11.
B?aszczy, k. E., Rogula-Koz?owska, W., Klejnowski, K., Fulara, I., & Miel?y?ska-Švach1, D.
(2017). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons bound to outdoor and indoor airborne particles
(PM2.5) and their mutagenicity and carcinogenicity in Silesian kindergartens, Poland. Air
Quality Atmospheric Health, 10, 389–400.
Buell, M.C., Johannessen, C., Drouillard, K., & Metcalfe. C. (2021). Concentrations and source
identification of PAHs, alkyl-PAHs and other organic contaminants in sediments from a
contaminated harbor in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Environmental Pollution, 270, 116058.
Durant, J., Lafleur, A., Busby, W., Donhoffner, L., Penman, B., & Crespi, C. (1999). Mutagenicity
of C24H14 PAH in human cells expressing CYP1A1. Mutat. Res.-Genet. Toxicol. E. M.,
446, 1-14.
Hussain, K., & Hoque, R.R. (2015). Seasonal attributes of urban soil PAHs of the Brahmaputra
Valley. Chemosphere, 119, 794–802.
IARC. (2010). International Agency for Research on Cancer Monographs on the evaluation of
carcinogenic risks to humans. In: some non-heterocyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
and some related exposures, vol. 92.
IARC, Lyon.IARC (2020). Chemical agents and related occupations: IARC monographs on the
evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. International Agency for Research on Cancer,
125, 1-212.
Jiang, Y., Wang, X., & Liu, H. (2018). Seasonal variations in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
in leafy vegetables: A risk assessment study. Environmental Pollution, 235, 1105-1112.
Kumar, S. N., Verma, P., Bastia, B., & Jain, A. K. (2014). Health risk assessment of polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons: A review. Journal of Pathology and Toxicology, 1, 16-30.
Li, G., Lang, H., Yang, W., Peng, P., & Wang, X. (2014). Source contributions of PAHs and
toxicity in reed wetland soils of Liaohe estuary using a CMB-TEQ method. Science of
Total Environment, 490, 199–204.
Li, H., Zhang, J., & Zhao, Y. (2022). Photodegradation and biodegradation of PAHs in agricultural
soils: Implications for food safety. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 421, 126722.
Liu, H., Yu, X., Liu, Z., & Sun, Y.(2018). Occurrence, characteristics and sources of polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons in arable soils of Beijing, China. Ecotoxicological Environment and
Safety, 1159, 120–126.
Mohit, A., Keshavarzi, B., & Moore, F. (2019). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban
soils of Ahvaz metropolis; contamination, composition, distribution, potential sources, and
cancer risk. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 25, 935–948.
Nisbet, I., & LaGoy, P. (1992). Toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs). Journal of Regulatory and Toxicological Pharmacology RT, 16,
290-300.
Qi, P., Qu, C., Albanese, S., Lima, A., Cicchella, D., & Hope, D.(2020). Investigation of polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons in soils from Caserta provincial territory, southern Italy: Spatial
distribution, source apportionment, and risk assessment. Journal of Hazard Materials, 383,
121-158.
Qu, Y., Gong, Y., Ma, J., Wei, H., Liu, Q., & Liu, L. (2020). Potential sources, influencing factors,
and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface soil of urban
parks in Beijing, China. Environmental Pollution, 260, 114016.
Shi, X., Zhao, Z., & Sun, Y. (2020). Influence of seasonal changes on PAH accumulation in
vegetables: A case study from an urban farm. Science of the Total Environment, 717,
Shi, R., Li, X., Yang, Y., Fan, Y., & Zhao, Z. (2021). Contamination and human health risks of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface soils from Tianjin coastal new region, China.
Environmental Pollution, 268, 115938.
Soukarieh, B., Hawari, K.E., Husseini, M.E., Budzinski, H., & Jaber, F. (2018). Impact of
Lebanese practices in industry, agriculture and urbanization on soil toxicity. Evaluation of
the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) levels in soil. Chemosphere, 210, 85–92.
Suman, S., Sinha, A., & Tarafdar, A.(2016). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
concentration levels, pattern, source identification and soil toxicity assessment in urban
traffic soil of Dhanbad, India. Science of Total Environment, 545–546, 353–360.
Thiombane, M., Albanese, S., Di Bonito, M., Lima, A., Zuzolo, D., & Rolandi, R. (2019). Source
patterns and contamination level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban and
rural areas of Southern Italian soils. Environmental and Geochemical Health, 230, 927–
USEPA. (1996). United States Environmental Protection Agency soil screening guidance: user’s
guide (second edition). In Agency U.S.E.P(Ed.), Office of emergency and remedial
response (2nd ed., p. 20460). Washington, DC: United States Environmental Protection
Agency.
Wang, J., Chen, X., & Li, P. (2019). The impact of precipitation on PAH distribution in soil and
crops: A comparative analysis. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 162, 57-63.
Zhang, H., Huang, Q., Han, P., Zhang, Z., Jiang, S., & Yang, W. (2022). Source identification and
toxicity apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface soils in Beijing and
Tianjin using a PMF-TEQ method. Public Library of Science (PLoS) ONE 17(6), 268 -
Zhang, L., Wu, T., & Zhao, X. (2023). PAH bioaccumulation in crops: A study on seasonal and
environmental factors. Environmental Research, 215, 114739.

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back