POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS LEVEL FROM HVAC IN BONNY ISLAND

Abstract

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied with the aim of investigating the compositional profile of particulate matters in offices and residential areas in Bonny metropolis. A Gas-chromatography Mass spectrometer was used to evaluate PAHs bound in dust retained in air-conditioning unit filters from office and residential buildings in Bonny metropolitan. The results obtained show that office and residential areas had average summation (PAHs) of 39.52 and 21.14 mg/kg, respectively. Acenaphthalene and naphthalene were the most common PAHs in Bonny Metropolis. In addition, the carcinogenic summation (PAH) from the Bonny office and residential areas was found to be 14.87 and 8.10 mg/kg, respectively. Bonny metropolis has a greater concentration of PAH hazardous pollutants. This could be attributable to the metropolis’s intense industrial operations and uncontrolled activities coupled with continuous gas flaring which contributed significantly to the concentration of PAHs within Bonny metropolis. Thus, the government should enact and implement environmental restrictions that regulate industrial emissions in the city under study.