Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyl in indoor environment of public bars and its health implications.

ABSTRACT

This study determined the indoor air levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in some selected public bars in Southern part of Nigeria. The result obtained was used to carry out health risk assessment of exposure to PCBs in these indoor environment.s. Air samples were obtained from the selected popular bars using polyurethane (PUF) passive samplers. PCB quantification was done using GC-MS operated in selected ionization mode (SIM). Health risk assessment from exposure of these pollutants was determining using toxicity equivalence quotient (TEQ), inhalation risk assessment (IRA), incremental life cancer risk (ILCR), and hazard quotient (HQ). The results showed the average concentration range of 0.15-0.17 µg/m3. The mean TEQ at various locations was 0.00050 ng WHO-TEQ/m3, while the calculated daily inhalation exposure values were 0.0004 ng TEQ kg-1 day-1 for adults and 0.0002 ng TEQ kg-1 day-1 for children. The values of IRA, ILCR for the children, and HQs for both adults and children were higher than the WHO permissible limits. The study revealed that both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with longtime exposure to PCBs in the indoor environment public bars.