Toxicity and Carcinogenic Potentials of Particulate Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Emitted At the Epicenter of Major Abattoirs in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Abattoirs have been identified as significant sources of aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), due to the combustion-intensive nature of meat processing activities, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. These compounds are recognized as persistent environmental pollutants with carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxicological effects, thereby posing substantial risks to both human health and ecological systems. Both passive and active air sampling techniques were employed to determine particulate-bound PAHs. A fabricated polyurethane foam (PUF) disk sampler, air quality monitor and using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. The particle bound polycyclic hydrocarbons were measured for Sobi and Ipata abattoirs in Kwara state, Nigeria. PM2.5, PM10 and TSP were 121-1557 µg/m³, 139 -1744µg/m³, and 265- 3301µg/m3respectively for Sobi while 165.25-684.5 µg/m³, 196.25- 726.25 µg/m³and 265-1178.25 µg/m³ respectively for Ipata abattoirs. The toxicity potential (TP) for the particulate emissions at Sobi abattoir ranges between 0.47- 30.54 while that Ipata abattoir ranges between 0.54 -18.75. The incremental cancer inhalation risk assessment (ILRC) for exposure within the Sobi and Ipata abattoirs were estimated at 3.319 × 10-7 and 5.01 × 10-7 respectively. The adverse non-cancer health risk is 1.481 and 0.300 for Sobi and Ipata respectively. The study confirms that PAHs emissions from these abattoirs pose measurable noncancer health risks to the exposed vulnerable populations and recommends adopting cleaner technologies such as solar or biogas heated scalding system to mitigate emissions and protect the vulnerable.