Health Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Ambient Air of Selected Abattoirs in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Abstract
Air pollution resulting from abattoir operations poses significant environmental and public health challenges in urban areas. This study assessed the levels and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the ambient air of selected abattoirs in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Air samples were collected from two abattoir sites—Rumuokoro (RM) and Mile 3 (M3) Nkpolu-Oroworukwo Port –Harcourt, and one control site at Rumuadolur community in Government Residential (G) Area. Samples were analyzed using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) for PAHs following USEPA standard protocols. The mean concentrations of PAHs were 38.50 ± 21.20 mg/m³ at Rumuokoro, 21.65 ± 19.43 mg/m³ at Mile 3, and 2.68 ± 2.3 mg/m³ at GRA, indicating significant pollution from abattoir activities. Human health risk assessments revealed that the non-carcinogenic hazard quotients (HQ) and hazard indices (HI) for both adults and children were < 1 across all the sites, but least at the control. The carcinogenic risk (CR) values for PAHs exceeded the USEPA acceptable threshold of 10⁻6 - 10⁻⁴, at all sites though least at the control. The exceeded value suggested a potential lifetime cancer risk for long-term exposure. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA showed significant spatial differences (p < 0.05) in pollutant concentrations across the three sites, with post-hoc tests confirming that abattoir sites were significantly more contaminated than the control. The study concludes that abattoir activities contribute considerably to atmospheric pollution and potential health risks in Port Harcourt. It recommends stricter enforcement of air quality regulations, adoption of cleaner abattoir technologies, and regular environmental monitoring. The findings provide baseline data for environmental policy formulation and enhance understanding of the health implications of abattoir emissions in developing urban centres.