Levels and Risk Assessment of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBS) in Soils from Informal E-Waste Recycling Sites in Cameroun
Romaric E. Ouabo 1 * , Abimbola Y. Sangodoyin 2, Mary B. Ogundiran 3, Babafemi A. Babalola 3
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1 Life and Earth Sciences Institute, Environmental Management, Pan African University, University of Ibadan, NIGERIA2 Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, NIGERIA3 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ibadan, NIGERIA* Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study assessed the levels and human health risk of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soils of e-waste recycling sites in Douala, Cameroun. Surface soil samples from these sites were collected and analyzed by Gas Chromatography- Electron Capture Detector to quantify the levels of 30 PCBs (including 10 dioxin-like PCBs). The investigated 30 PCBs were detected in all the soil samples. The mean and standard deviation of the total PCBs in Makea, Ngodi and New Bell recycling sites were 32.1±4.48, 31.9±0.10 and 72.8±13.5 ng/g, respectively. Between 26-46% of the Ʃ30 PCB concentrations were comprised of the dioxin-like PCB congeners. The toxic equivalent (TEQ) values of 10 dioxin-like PCBs were lower than the Canadian soil quality guidelines of dioxin (4 pg TEQ g−1). Human health risk through ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation was lower than the values of cancer risk (10−6) indicating low adverse effects of PCBs in the recycling sites.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EUR J SUSTAIN DEV RES, 2018, Volume 2, Issue 4, Article No: 44

https://doi.org/10.20897/ejosdr/3912

Publication date: 04 Oct 2018

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