Human health hazards of poly aromatic hydrocarbons in Nigerian smokeless tobacco

Publication date: Available online 22 July 2015 Source:Toxicology Reports Author(s): Orish Ebere Orisakwe, Zelinjo Nkeiruka Igweze, Kenneth Obinna Okolo, Nnaemeka Arinze Udowelle Recently we investigated the heavy metal hazards of Nigerian smokeless tobacco products ‘STP’. Since ‘STPs’ are advocated as safer alternatives to cigarettes, the public health implication should be ascertained. This is a risk assessment of poly aromatic hydrocarbons ‘PAHs’ in ‘STPs’ used in Nigeria. Thirty ‘STPs’ from different parts (South East, South West, Niger Delta and North Central) of Nigeria were studied. The 15 PAHs were assayed using gas chromatographic system (6890 series and 6890 plus) equipped with a quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (Agilent 5975 MSD) after ultrasonic extraction of the ‘STPs’ and clean up of the extract. Toxicity equivalent of Benzo[a]Pyrene concentration(μg/kg) in ‘STPs’were determined. The daily exposure and the cancer risk associated with exposure to STP were calculated. Sample A1 (south east) had the highest concentration of PAH 225.84μg/kg, while sampleA3 (North central) had the least PAH concentration of 1.09μg/kg. ‘STPs’ from South East showed highest levels of PAHs. The total B[a]P TEQ of the ‘STPs’ from the South East ranged from 0.24 to 29.23, South West ranged from 0.94 to 14.55, Niger Delta ranged from 2.28 to 22.88 and North Central ranged from 0.11 to 9.47. The calculated risk estimates for ‘STPs’ from the...
Source: Toxicology Reports - Category: Toxicology Source Type: research