Health Risks Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Cassava and Cocoyam Flours from Eke Awka Market in Anambra State

Exposure to Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)presents a potential health risk to individuals through various routes, including dietary intake, particularly for non-smokers. The aim of this study was to measure the levels of PAHs in cassava and cocoyam flour commercially sold and consumed daily in Anambra State Nigeria, and to assess its quality and safety using 100 volunteer students of the School of Pharmacy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka to determine the daily consumption of cassava and cocoyam flour. Gas chromatography with flame ionization was used to detect the presence and levels of PAHs. Appropriate equations were used to calculate the estimated daily intake(EDI), hazard quotient(HQ) , hazard index(HI), toxic equivalents(TEQ), and incremental life cancer risks(ILCR). Seven PAHs were detected in the cassava flour namely: Fluorene, Fluroranthene, Pyrene, Benzo[a]anthracene, Chrysene, Benzo[b]fluroanthene, and Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene. On the other hand , four PAHs were detected in the cocoyam flour namely: Fluorene, Phenanthrene, Benzo[a]anthracene, and Benzo[k]fluoranthene. While dibenzo[a,h]anthracene had the highest concentration in the cassava flour, phenanthrene had the highest concentration in the cocoyam flour. The control samples showed no presence of PAHs. The values of the Estimated Daily Intake of PAHs in the cocoyam sample ranged from 1.7966e-4 to 4.3419e-4 for children and from 1.2320e-4 to 3.2138e-4 for adults, exceeding the recommended reference doses for both adults and children. The values in the cassava sample ranged from 1.5973e-4 to 6.7722e-4 for adults and from 2.3294e-4 to 9.876e-4 for children. These values exceeded the recommended reference doses for both adults and children. However, the HQ, and HI values for the cassava samples were 1.497e-2for adults and 2.1831e-2 for children, and that of cocoyam was 7.4433e-3 for adults and 1.090e-2 for children were below 1, suggesting non-carcinogenic risk. However, the toxic equivalents significantly surpassed the screening values. The ILCR for 16PAHs (5.08e-3 for adults), and (7.4095e-3 for children) in the cassava flour samples were notably higher than the threshold, underscoring a significant health concern indicating a high cancer risk. The value for the cocoyam, (2.32e-4 for adults), and (4.841e-6 for children) does not portend any cancer risk.