Ingestion and Dermal Cancer Risk via Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils in an Oil-Producing Community, Niger Delta, Nigeria

There is an intrinsic link between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) accumulated in soils and increased health risk to humans after exposure to contaminated soil via ingestion, inhalation of particulates carrying PAHs, and direct contact with polluted soils. However, the assessment of PAH contamination in most developing countries fails to consider health risk assessment. Therefore, a comprehensive study was conducted to determine the concentration, source, toxicity, and human health risks of 16 PAHs in an urban area in Warri, Delta State, in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The results showed varying contamination levels for PAH in soil samples from all sampling points, with benzo[a]anthracene (BaP; at 338.81 mu g/kg) being the most abundant at all 9 sampling stations. The highest total concentration of PAH was observed at station 5 (1230.98 mu g/kg), which was closest to a flow station. Further comparison with PAH contamination standards showed that soils from stations 1 and 2 were weakly contaminated (<600 mu g/kg), and soil samples from stations 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 were moderately contaminated (<1000 mu g/kg). Soil samples from stations 5 and 8 were observed to be heavily contaminated (>1000 mu g/kg). The BaP estimates for soil samples obtained for stations 3 to 9 were higher than the BaP soil screening value (15 mu g/kg), indicating a carcinogenic potential of soil samples. The results also showed that the incremental lifetime cancer risk estimates for PAH in the soil for adults and children were above the recommended threshold (10(-4)) for ingestion and dermal contact, implying that exposure to contaminated soil could lead to cancers in adults and children. Currently, there are no regional or national standards for PAHs in soil that would indicate an increased likelihood for human exposure and subsequent health issues. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;00:1-11. (c) 2020 SETAC

Automated summary

A comprehensive study in an urban area in Warri, Nigeria revealed varying levels of PAH contamination in soils, with high carcinogenic potential that could lead to cancer in children and adults upon exposure.