Hazard Indices and Human Health Risks Associated with PAHs Exposure from Consumption of Bivalve Shellfish from Niger Delta, Nigeria

Background and Objective: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) remains a potential food safety hazard associated with seafood harvested from the brackish waters of the Niger Delta. This is attributable to the high level of environmental degradation posed by petroleum production and exploitation along the coastline. This study investigated hazard indices and human health risks associated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) exposure from consumption of bivalve shellfish from the Niger Delta. Materials and Methods: Four samples of bivalve shellfish: Bloody cockle (Anadara senilis), Donax clam (Donax rugosus), Knife clam (Tagelus adansonaii) and Mangrove oyster (Crassostrea gasar) harvested from four locations in the Niger Delta were assessed for PAHs concentrations through the use of Gas chromatography. The United State Environmental Protection Agency method was used to estimate the human health risk of PAHs in bivalves consumed in the Niger Delta. Results: The result indicated an elevated tissue concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bivalve shellfish above the legal limits allowed for food safety. The estimated values for human health risk assessment revealed a non-carcinogenic value and hazard index less than one for non-carcinogenic PAHs while risk value for carcinogenic PAHs and cumulative cancer indices at some study locations were higher than the stipulated one in one million (1.0×10^‾6) chances as stipulated by regulatory bodies which imply that carcinogenic effects were more likely due to consumption of 48 g day^‾1 of bivalve shellfish with PAHs contaminants. Conclusion: Therefore consumers are likely to experience significant health risks through the consumption of bivalve shellfish from the study locations.