Human health risk assessment of TPHs in brackish water prawn (Nematopalaemon hastatus, AURIVILLUS, 1898)

Edible aquatic brackish water shellfish (Nematopalaemon hastatus) obtained from the coastal waters of Ondo state, Nigeria was analyzed between 2017 and 2018 for the concentration of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs). TPHs level in the sampled species was measured using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC/FID). Possible human health risks associated with the ingestion of the sampled species were determined by estimated dietary intake (EDI) and health risk index (HRI). The TPH level observed in the biota species (Nematopalaemon hastatus) varied across the period of study. The highest concentration was recorded in February (3401.55 mg/kg) while the lowest was recorded in April (1995.99 mg/kg). The TPH values of the analyzed fish species exceeded the threshold value of 50 mg/kg for fish. Petroleum aliphatic hydrocarbons attained higher concentration in n-Hentriacontane, n-Tridecane, n-Nonane, n-Tetradecane, n-Triacontane, n-Tetracosane and n-Octacosane with mean concentration values of (2242.02, 189.60, 40.90, 40.72, 25.79, 15.40 and 8.73 mg/kg) respectively. The EDI and HRI had their peak dose and index value (1.19 and 2.37) in February and lowest dose an index value (0.70 and 1.39) in April respectively. In addition, the HRI exceeded the safety limit of one (1). The findings from this study reveal a significant carcinogenic health risk connected with the consumption of the sea species. Thus, the species is therefore considered unfit and unsafe for consumption.