Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Charcoal Production Areas in Nasarawa State

Wood charcoal is the most important means of human exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). The Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were observed in soil sample and charcoal is the major source of human exposure to PAHs. In the present study, the PAHs concentrations were determined using gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS), and the results showed that all the PAHs analyzed were below and above detection limits of the equipment; and these were considered to present little or high risk to the human health. Results of analytical validations revealed that the GC/MS sensitive to defect and analysed sample, suggesting that the method was accurate, sensitive, reliable and reproducible. The total PAHs concentration in charcoal sample ranged from 0.31± 0.05 to 1.63± 0.015 PPM while the PAHs concentration in soil sample ranged from 12.68 ± 0.02 to 16.93 ±0.01 PPM. The dominant PAHs in soil sample were phenanthrene, naphthalene and anthracene. The concentration of lower-molecular weight PAHs compounds was found to be greater than higher molecular weight PAHs in soil samples. While in charcoal sample, the concentration of lower molecule weight PAHs and higher molecular weight PAHs are above the permissible level or limit of PAHs as compared to United States Environmental Protection Agency (2004) and Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Expose Level (PEL) 2008.