Toxicity and Carcinogenic Potentials of Particulate Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Emitted At the Epicenter of Major Abattoirs in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria
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Date
2026-03-26
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Publisher
Aswan University, Egypt
Abstract
Abattoirs have been identified as significant sources of aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), due to the combustion-intensive nature of meat
processing activities, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. These compounds are
recognized as persistent environmental pollutants with carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxicological
effects, thereby posing substantial risks to both human health and ecological systems.
Both passive and active air sampling techniques were employed to determine particulate-bound
PAHs. A fabricated polyurethane foam (PUF) disk sampler, air quality monitor and using Gas
Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. The particle bound polycyclic hydrocarbons were
measured for Sobi and Ipata abattoirs in Kwara state, Nigeria. PM2.5, PM10 and TSP were 121-1557
µg/m³, 139 -1744µg/m³, and 265- 3301µg/m3respectively for Sobi while 165.25-684.5 µg/m³,
196.25- 726.25 µg/m³and 265-1178.25 µg/m³ respectively for Ipata abattoirs. The toxicity
potential (TP) for the particulate emissions at Sobi abattoir ranges between 0.47- 30.54 while that
Ipata abattoir ranges between 0.54 -18.75. The incremental cancer inhalation risk assessment
(ILRC) for exposure within the Sobi and Ipata abattoirs were estimated at 3.319 × 10-7 and 5.01 ×
10-7 respectively. The adverse non-cancer health risk is 1.481 and 0.300 for Sobi and Ipata
respectively. The study confirms that PAHs emissions from these abattoirs pose measurable noncancer health risks to the exposed vulnerable populations and recommends adopting cleaner
technologies such as solar or biogas heated scalding system to mitigate emissions and protect the
vulnerable.
Description
Aromatic hydrocarbon compounds as air pollutants form a distinctive category of organic
molecules characterized by the presence of one or more benzene rings [1]. Their cyclic structure,
featuring alternating single and double bonds, results in delocalized π-electron systems that
impart exceptional stability and unique reactivity compared to non-aromatic hydrocarbons [2].
These conjugated systems exhibit characteristic ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectra,
reflecting their electronic and chemical behaviors.Aromatic compounds encompass diverse
classes, including aromatic amines, heterocyclic aromatic compounds, and polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs), each with distinct physicochemical properties [
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Citation
) Muhibbudin, I. E, Jeje, I., Tinuoye, A. I., Kehinde, P. D., & Jimoh, O. H. (2026). Toxicity and Carcinogenic Potentials of Particulate Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Emitted At the Epicenter of Major Abattoirs in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria