Bioaccumulation of PAHs and Heavy Metals by Waterleaf and Fluted Pumpkin Harvested in four Communities Around Hairdressing Salon Facilities in Abia State, Nigeria.

Author(s): Dike Ijere N, Okechukwu R, I Okereke JN, Mgbemena IC, Ogidi OI.

The measure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals in vegetables harvested around hairdressing salon facilities is increasingly alarming, as majority of the populace (Urban communities, Aba South & Umuahia South and Rural communities, Isuikwuato & Ohafia) depend on them for daily dietary nutrients. The Study investigated about 19 various PAHs in the waterleaf and fluted pumpkin leaves using the Gas Chromatograph (GC) including about 20 different metals using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results were compared with the Control obtained from the Study areas as well as FEPA (1995) and FAO/WHO (2011) Standards. Results showed that essential macromineral such as Ca and micro-mineral such as Fe, Zn, Mo, Co, and Cu were either lacking or found in minute quantities. Whereas toxicity of metals in vegetables were highly observed in Ag, Ni, Mg, Mn, Cd, Hg, Cr, As, Al, Se, Na, K, Pb, and V for all the communities at different levels. Moreover, the levels of PAHs such as dichloromethane, chloroform, chlorofluorocarbons, benzene, xylene, glycol, alkylolamides, propanol and propane were found to exceed the permissible limits, hence toxic for human consumption