Abstract
T
he objectives of this study is to provide empirical data on the concentrations, sources and human cancer risk through non dietary ingestion dermal contact and inhalations of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( 16-PAHs) in soils within the vicinity of telecom masts. Quantification of PAHs was by gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector. Across all sites, 16-PAHs were detected with individual mean PAH concentration range of 0,010 (Nap, Phe, Ant, Chr and I[123-cd]P) at site 9 (control) to 1.485 mg/kg (D[ah]A) at site 4. Also, the mean Ʃ16PAHs was highest in site 2 (10.622 mg/kg) and lowest at site 9 (0.236 mg/kg). The percentage occurrence of LPAHs and HPAHs are in range of 18.68 to 48.41% and 51.58 to 81.32% respectively. The source identification ratios show high and low temperature combustion processes as sources of PAHs. This could be from crankcase oils used in internal combustion engine and spilled diesel and oil from generator in these sites. The ILCR values through the non-dietary exposure routes are in the order of ingestion > dermal > inhalation. Analyses of variance also show significant variation (p < 0.05) in PAHs concentrations in respect to sites. The study found out that the cancer risk value for children was greater than adult value, and the total cancer risk values were higher than permissible limits, indicating potential for acute and chronic human cancer risk. The data generated in this study could serve as baseline reference for sitting and management of telecom masts.