Characterization and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from the emission of different power generator

Abstract

Epileptic power supply in Sub-Saharan countries of Africa has warranted the use of power generators as an alternative source of power supply. Exhaust emission from these generators is associated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs). Hence, this study focused on the determination of levels of PAHs in the emission of different brands of power generators used in Nigeria. Exhaust emissions of different power generators were sampled using a filter-sorbent sampling system with polyurethane foam (PUF) as an adsorbent material. Analysis of PAHs was carried out using a Gas Chromatograph coupled to a mass selective detector (GC- MS) operated on Electron Ionization (EI) mode. The results showed the ∑ PAHs range 14.91–26.0 μgm−3. Bap was the most abundant of all the compounds with a concentration of 2.6 μgm−3 with a range of 2.08–3.07 μgm−3. The Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) values of all the generator's emission sampled are higher than 10− 4 for both children and adult which indicate a high potential cancer risk from inhalation of emission from these generators while Hazard Quotient (HQ) values from all the power generating set in this study are all above 1 which indicated high associated non-carcinogenic. The study revealed the levels of PAHs associated with the emission of power generators in Nigeria.

Keywords

• Emission
• Hazard quotient
• Incremental life cancer risk
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
• Power generator