Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Seafood from Orashi River in Omoku, Rivers State of Nigeria and Human Health Risk Assessment

This study investigated the level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seafood, namely, C. sapidus (Crab), P. mollusca (Mollusc), Cambarus sp. (Crayfish), Caridea (Shrimp) from Orashi River in Omoku, Rivers State of Nigeria. The PAHs in the samples were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. There was no variation in the relative level of PAHs congeners. The mean concentrations of individual PAHs decreased in the order: D(a,h)ant > Pyr > Fluth > B(g,h,i)p > B(a)A >  B(b)f > Ind (1,2, 3)pyr > B(a)pyr > Chr > B(k)flu > Ant > Flu > Phen > Aceth >  Ace > Nap. Anthracene contributed the highest PAHs values, with 51.685% in Caridea. The EDI values of B(a)P, Ʃ₂PAH, Ʃ₄PAH, Ʃ₈PAH across all the seafood were within the maximum permissible limit recommended by EFSA; this suggests that the accumulation of the PAHs in the body system are within the permitted levels. Similarly, the HI of the PAHs congeners obtained from this study were less than 1 which is the safe limit recommended by USEPA. The total Excess Cancer Risk of the PAHs congeners obtained from this study exceeded the permissible maximum limit recommended by USEPA. This study suggests that the water may be contaminated with PAHs which have the tendency to cause non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk because of frequent and high consumption of seafoods.