Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Trace Metals Contents of Pterocarpus Mildbraedii and Ocimum Gratissimum grown near Markets within Aba Metropolis, Nigeria: An Evaluation of dietary Intake Risks

One known source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace metals (TMs) exposure to humans is through the consumption of contaminated vegetables, prompting the need to always monitor these life-threatening contaminants in these vegetables. Eighteen PAHs and TMs were investigated in the leaves of Pterocarpus mildbraedii and Ocimum gratissimum grown near Afule, Ahiaohuru, and Umuocham market locations within Aba metropolis. Afule samples gave (mg kg-1 PAHs) 6.84, 8.12; Ahiaohuru samples gave (mg kg-1 PAHs) 11.34, 17.68; and Umuocham samples gave (mg kg-1 PAHs) 0.17, 0.16 for P. mildbraedii and O. gratissimum leaf samples, respectively. The mean concentrations of the metals were found to be lower than the maximum permissible limits set by FAO/WHO. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values for all the metals in the study were found to be less than each metal’s reference oral dose (RfD). The health risk index (HRI), target health quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI) values for both vegetables were much lower than 1, implying that the exposed population is safe from potential toxic metals.