Health Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Singed Capra aegagrus Hircus Meat from Uyo Municipal Abattoir in Southern Nigeria

摘要

Background and Objectives: The use of scrap car tires and condemned plastics by local butchers as alternative sources of fuel to singe slaughtered livestock including goats ( Capra aegagrus hircus) is now common place. This practice inadvertently introduces potentially harmful substances including Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the meat. This study was conducted to evaluate the concentrations of PAHs in singed and unsigned liver and kidney samples of C. aegagrus hircus obtained from Uyo Municipal Abattoir in Southern Nigeria and the associated health risks on adult and children population. Materials and Methods: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for the quantification of the levels of PAHs in the liver and kidney samples after they were extracted with n-hexane/dichloromethane and concentrated. Results: The total PAH concentrations for singed liver samples ranged from 44.70-48.23 mg kgsup?/supsup1/sup while 23.53 mg kgsup?/supsup1/sup was recorded for unsinged liver sample. Similar quantification for singed kidney samples yielded the range: 66.89-71.51 and 34.63 mg kgsup?/supsup1/sup for unsinged kidney sample. The hazard quotient and index values of singed and unsinged samples indicated no substantial non-carcinogenic risk relating to exposure to either individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or complex PAHs mixture through consumption of liver and kidney of C. aegagrus hircus. The potential carcinogenic risk associated with consumption of liver and kidney of C. aegagrus hircus has also been highlighted. Conclusion: This study has revealed the potential carcinogenic risk in humans associated with the consumption of C. aegagrus hircus meat singed with scrap car tires and condemned plastics.