The concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Fish (Mullet fish-
Mugil cephalus
)
and Shellfish (Tiger prawn-
Penaeus Monodon
and crab-
Uca tangeri
) samples from fishing areas in Amariaria
Community, downstream of Bonny River, Southern Nigeria, were assessed to determine possible human health risk
associated with consumption. Mean levels (mg/kg) of total PAHs ranged from 0.059 to 0.126 in fish, 0.015 to 0.106 in
prawn and 0.057 to 0.063 in crab. A considerable predominance of the 3 and 4-rings PAHs in all the matrices was observed
with benzo (a) anthracene dominating in all three species. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of PAHs through consumption of
fish ranged from 0 to 0.0005 mg/kg/day, for prawn, 0 to 0.0002 mg/kg/day and for crab, 0 to 0.0002 mg/kg/day. EDI
values were, however, lower than the reference dose (RfD) indicating low risk from consumption. Results of the estimated
excess cancer risk (ECR) for Benzo (a) anthracene in fish, however, suggests that lifetime exposure to Benzo (a)
anthracene through fish consumption would result in cancer risk.
