Evaluation of Human Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Some Edible Oils and Shea Butter in Nigeria

AbstractThe present study presents the results for the determination of the concentrations of the 16 USEPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 30 samples of different types of vegetable oil (palm, groundnut, palm olein, soybean, cotton and castor seed oils) and shea butter in Nigeria. In addition, information is provided on the compositional patterns and sources of PAHs, as well as possible risks through consumption of contaminated products. Detection and quantification of the PAHs was carried out by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The PAH concentrations in the samples varied from 126 to 865 µg kg−1. The compositional patterns of the PAHs in the oil samples followed the order: 4R > 3R > 5R > 6R > 2R. The majority of the samples had individual PAH concentrations above the 2 µg kg−1 limit and all the samples surpassed the German Society for Fat Science limit of 25 µg kg−1 for the total PAHs. The estimated dietary intakes based on a 11.1 kg per capita consumption rate ranged fro...