Polybrominated diphenyl ethers concentrations in metals and plastics scrap impacted soils: Pollution load, sources, ecological, and onsite human health implications

Abstract The usage of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as fire-resistant additives was banned several years ago; however, they persist in several environmental compartments. This study determined the concentrations and associated exposure risks of Ʃ39PBDEs in soil depth samples from selected metals and plastics scrap catchments in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Samples extraction was performed by the Soxhlet extraction method followed by GC-MS analysis. The mean concentrations of ∑39PBDEs-congeners ranged from 0.01 ± 001 to 25 ± 11.0 ng g−1 in the topsoil and 0.01 ± 0.01 to 6.50 ± 4.7 ng g−1 in the subsoil. The PBDE homologue profiles were dominated by di, penta, hexa, and tri-BDEs. The PBDEs cancer and non-cancer risk for infants were higher than those in adults, expressed in the following order: ingestion > dermal contact > inhalation. In general, the sum for the three exposure pathways was within the allowable threshold limit, suggesting a low lifetime cancer risk from soil exposures. The technical mixture used for paints, plastics, hydraulic, and dielectric insulating fluids for transformers, capacitors, cable wires, and power capacitors is a potential source of Ʃ39PBDEs in the study area. With the increase in metals scrap enterprise in Nigeria, this study provides empirical data useful for the development of efficient strategies to strengthen and enforce existing regulations for metals and plastics scrap land use in Nigeria and other similar catchments around the world.