Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Dust from the Vicinity of Power Generation Plants in Nigeria: Distribution, Risks Assessment and Source Apportionment
Aug 2026· FUDMA Journal of Sciences· 0 citations· 12 references
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) constitute a class of widespread environmental contaminants that pose significant health risks. Therefore, this study investigated the distribution, risks and sources of PBDEs in dusts from power generation plants in Nigeria. A total of 24 dust samples were collected from four power plants. Samples were collected for six months covering both wet and dry seasons. Dusts were extracted for PBDEs following the United State Environmental Protection Agency Method 3550C using a 1:1 mixture of dichloromethane and n-hexane. Thereafter, the extracts were cleaned-up and analyzed for PBDEs using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. The results indicated that the mean concentrations of ∑39 PBDEs in the dusts ranged from 17.5 to 54.6 ng g-1 for wet season and 55.4 to 157 ng g-1 for dry season. There were significant spatio-temporal variations in the concentrations of PBDEs in the dust. The PBDEs have higher concentrations during the dry season than the wet season. The hazard index and total cancer risk values indicated that there is neither adverse non-carcinogenic risk nor carcinogenic risk from exposure to PBDEs in these dusts. Source apportionment indicated that the PBDEs in the dusts were from the use of deca- and penta-BDE commercial formulations used for dielectric insulating fluids for transformers, capacitors, cable insulators etc. It is hereby recommended that the Federal Ministry of Environment should establish environmental policy and enforceable regulatory frameworks for the control of PBDEs in order to minimize the levels environmental PBDEs and the risk to human and ecosystems.
The open burning system of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal releases varying concentrations of emissions into the atmosphere. One of such, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere have been documented to be a threat to humans. This study assessed the concentration of the ambient air PAHs in a MSW dumpsite at Egbedi, Osun State. A polyurethane foam (PUF) passive sampler was installed in 10 locations for 28 days to trap PAHs. The PAH results were subjected to a toxicity equivalence (TEQ), sources were identified by employing the existing diagnostic ratios, and inhalation dosage was investigated using the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk Assessment (ELCR). The summation of the carcinogenic PAHs and the highest toxicity equivalence for rain and dry seasons were 0.241 µg/m3 and 0.369 µg/m3, and 0.070 and 0.110, respectively. The analysis revealed that the PAHs were mainly from the combustion of MSW. The ELCR values were (9.1 × 10–4) and (5.8 × 10–4), which were above the acceptable carcinogenic risk level of 1.0 × 10–6. The concentration of PAHs released is at a carcinogenic level and the TEQ and diagnostic ratio show that the emission source is from certain wastes. The PCA score plot showed a single cluster that was close to the center, indicating that the burning of MSW was the only source of emissions from the study location that added to the majority of the PAHs in the surrounding atmosphere. There is an urgent need to develop the dumpsite into a standard landfill.
O. Fadipe, Saheed Adekunle Adewale, O. B. Okedere et al.· Discover Environment· 0 citations
Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCNs) are persistence organic pollutants (POPs) which have been used extensively and continue to be a source of environmental and human health issues in spite of the international ban on their production. This work represents the first report of PCNs in consumer goods, landfill leachate, and sediment samples in South Africa. In this study, a total of 24 consumer goods belonging to eight categories were analyzed along with landfill leachates and sediments from the Hatherly and Goudkoppies landfills, Gauteng Province, South Africa, for some selected PCN congeners by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Quality assurance procedures and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to ensure analytical reliability and evaluate similarities among sample matrices and PCN homologue groups. Concentrations of the ΣPCN varied from 16.07-177.69 ng/g in consumer products, from 37.40-66.72 ng/L in landfill leachates and from 39.02-106.83 ng/g in sediments. Increased levels of PCN were found in some electrical and polymer-containing consumer products but no statistically significant relationship between chlorine contents and ΣPCN concentrations. PCA showed matrix-dependent variations in the distribution of congeners, suggesting different partitioning behaviour for consumer products, landfill leachates, and sediments. The detected concentrations indicate that consumer products may serve as important secondary sources of PCNs in landfill environments, contributing to their environmental persistence and potential ecological exposure. These findings provide important baseline information for determining the distribution and presence of PCNs in South Africa, which underscores the need for continuous environmental monitoring, better waste management practices, development of a national PCN inventory as well as risk assessments that will aid in the implementation of the Stockholm Convention.
Vhodaho Nevondo, R. Okwuosa, O. J. Okonkwo· Engineering and Technology J...· 0 citations
The improper handling of banknotes can accumulate dust that carries pollutants, posing health risks. This study assesses the potential health risk of particulate banknote dust (BND) in two commercial banks (A and B) in Benin Metropolis, Nigeria. About 10 g of BND were collected twice from each bank's tables and equipment with a soft brush and stored in airtight bags. The samples were analyzed for heavy metals using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID), and the particle size was measured via dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results obtained for particle size ranged from 36.57 to 48.48 nm, indicating a nano-sized nature. The results of heavy metal concentration showed that iron had the highest, at 2,055.00 ± 70.06 mg/kg for location A and 1,934.53 ± 68.64 mg/kg for location B; however, both locations were below WHO/USEPA limits of 10000 mg/kg. Cadmium was recorded as the lowest in locations A (1.82 ± 0.03 mg/kg) and B (0.95 ± 0.15 mg/kg), exceeding permissible limits of 0.8 mg/kg. All 16 EPA priority PAHs were detected in the BND, with location A showing the highest concentration at 4.278 µg/kg, dominated by pyrene, and location B having more phenanthrene. These findings suggest possible health risks for staff and customers from long-term exposure. Therefore, implementing cashless payments and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for bank staff is recommended.
Osagie Ferdinand Amayo, P. I. Edogun, J. Ukpebor· FUDMA Journal of Sciences· 0 citations
Soils around petrol filling stations are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from fuel spillage, storage tank leakage, and incomplete combustion of petroleum products. This study assessed the levels, distribution, sources and health risk of the 16 USEPA priority PAHs in soils around petrol filling stations in Kogi Central (Zone 1: Ajaokuta, Okene) and Kogi West (Zone 2: Obajana, Lokoja), Kogi State, Nigeria. Twelve soil samples from filling stations and four controls were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Surrogate (o-terphenyl) recoveries ranged from 94.0 to 101.6%. Total PAH (Σ16PAHs) concentrations ranged from 0.540 to 5.90 µg/kg, with mean values of 2.55 µg/kg in Zone 1 and 3.45 µg/kg in Zone 2 (combined mean 3.00 µg/kg). A two-sample t-test showed significantly higher PAH concentrations at filling stations than controls (t = -2.30, p = 0.038), with no significant difference among the four towns (p = 0.094). Low molecular weight (2-3 ring) PAHs dominated the distribution (65.7%), followed by 4-ring (30.2%) and 5-6 ring PAHs (4.12%). All individual and total PAH concentrations were below the Dutch maximum permissible concentrations, indicating unpolluted soils. Diagnostic ratios (LMW/HMW = 1.91; Ant/(Ant+Phe) = 0.77; Flt/(Flt+Pyr) = 0.90; BaA/(BaA+Chr) = 0.68) revealed a predominantly pyrolytic origin for the PAHs, with a minor petrogenic contribution. The mean benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration (BaPeq) was 0.0595 µg/kg, far below the 600 µg/kg Canadian soil quality guideline, denoting low carcinogenic potential. The results supply baseline data for PAH monitoring in the study area and complement previously published data for Kogi East.
J. A. Kadili, Godwin John, I. S. Eneji et al.· FUDMA Journal of Sciences· 0 citations
Borehole water is a major drinking water source in Owerri West LGA, Imo State, Nigeria, but fuel
stations within residential areas raise concerns over groundwater contamination by polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study assessed concentrations of the 16 USEPA priority
PAHs in borehole water near three fuel stations (Nekede, Orogwe, Obinze), evaluated health risks
to adults and children, and identified probable contamination sources. Twenty-seven samples were
collected in the dry season from fuel-station and nearby residential boreholes (25–625 m away).
Physicochemical parameters were analyzed per APHA (2017); PAHs were extracted (USEPA
Method 3510C) and quantified by GC-MS. Health risk was assessed using the USEPA (2014)
deterministic model, with source apportionment via diagnostic ratios and PCA. All
physicochemical parameters met WHO/USEPA limits. Total PAHs (Σ16PAHs) ranged from
0.112–0.217 mg/L, with benzo(a)pyrene exceeding the USEPA limit (0.01 µg/L) in all fuel-station
boreholes. Hazard quotients were below 1, but benzo(a)pyrene cancer risk (7.15×10⁻⁵ adults;
1.67×10⁻⁴ children, Nekede) exceeded the USEPA threshold (1×10⁻⁶), with children ~2.3 times
more at risk. Diagnostic ratios indicated predominantly pyrogenic sources with petrogenic
contribution from fuel leaks. Despite meeting potability standards, the water posed unacceptable
carcinogenic risk, warranting setback regulations and household treatment.
D. L., Oze R. N., B. A. et al.· INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHE...· 0 citations
Disinfection by-products (DBPs) formed during drinking-water treatment may pose chronic health risks when exposure is sustained. This study characterised regulated and emerging DBPs and evaluated screening-level human health risks in drinking water from eleven urban communities and one commercial sachet-water sampling category in Rivers State, Nigeria. Thirty-six samples (three per sampling category) were analysed for physicochemical characteristics, trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), chlorite, chlorate, bromate, haloacetonitriles and selected heavy metals using calibrated field meters, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, ion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Total THMs ranged from 18.64 ± 1.42 to 96.82 ± 4.24 µg/L and total HAAs from 8.42 ± 0.62 to 52.84 ± 2.28 µg/L. Bromate ranged from 1.42 ± 0.12 to 12.48 ± 0.66 µg/L, while lead ranged from 0.002 ± 0.001 to 0.026 ± 0.002 mg/L. The highest TTHM concentration occurred in Eleme, while Bonny had the highest measured residual chlorine; therefore, the observed DBP pattern cannot be attributed to chlorine residual alone. Screening hazard indices were below one for adults but reached 1.08 for children in Eleme, whereas the reported incremental lifetime cancer-risk estimates remained within the conventional 10⁻⁶-10⁻⁴ screening range. Because water-source type was not balanced across locations and detailed treatment histories were unavailable, source comparisons are interpreted descriptively and causal attribution is avoided. The study provides baseline DBP data for the Niger Delta and supports routine DBP surveillance, precursor control, optimisation of disinfectant dose and contact time, and source-specific treatment audits without compromising microbiological safety.
Joseph Jerry, Usiabulu Godsday I., Edodi Iyam O. et al.· Journal of global ecology an...· 0 citations
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