Spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in dust and soils from informal trade sites in southern Nigeria: Implications for risk and source analysis.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of semi-volatile and persistent organic compounds considered priority pollutants because of their pervasive nature and high toxicity to the ecosystem and humans. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the PAH concentrations in dust and soils around informal trade sites (ITS) in Nigeria to determine the level of risk, sources, and significance of these activities to the PAH load of the environment. The 16 US EPA PAHs in dust and soils from ITS were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Human exposure to organochlorine pesticides in vegetables from major cities in south-south Nigeria.

Contamination of vegetables with organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) during cultivation could affect their nutritional value and also results in adverse health effects to consumers. Thus, this study evaluates human exposure to OCPs in vegetables from major cities in south-south Nigeria. A total of eighty vegetables consisting of Vernonia amygdalina, Telfairia occidentalis, Desmodium intortum cv and Talinum triangulare obtained from four major cities (Warri, Benin, Yenagoa and Port-Harcourt) in south-south Nigeria were analysed for OCPs using a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass selective detector.