Sn. Alyakoob et al., POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS IN FISH - EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT FOR KUWAITI CONSUMERS AFTER THE GULF OIL-SPILL OF 1991, Environment international, 20(2), 1994, pp. 221-227
This investigation involves a preliminary assessment of public health
hazards associated with exposure to PAHs in locally consumed fish from
oil-impacted areas after the Gulf oil spill in 1991. Based on levels
of 10 PAHs determined in edible parts of fish collected during the NOA
A-Mt. Mitchell scientific cruise (April-May 1992), two exposure scenar
ios were hypothesized. The first scenario considers that the extent of
exposure to PAHs is influenced by the frequency of occurrence and the
mean concentration of individual PAH compounds. In the second scenari
o, the maximum detected PAH concentrations are considered as potential
extremes in exposure based on the likely preference of consumption of
highly contaminated fish. The mean concentration of the frequently oc
curring pyrene (75%) poses 3.8, 2.37, and 5.85 times the carcinogenic
equivalency, carcinogenic potency, and mutagenic potency, respectively
, posed by the mean B(a)P concentration. The maximum concentration of
pyrene poses 5.81, 3.62, 8.94 times the carcinogenic equivalency, carc
inogenic potency, and mutagenic potency, respectively, posed by the ma
ximum B(a)P concentration. The mean concentration of anthracene (frequ
ency of occurrence = 10%) poses 8.05 and 1.51 times the carcinogenic p
otency and mutagenic potency, respectively, posed by the mean B(a)P co
ncentration. The maximum concentration of anthracene poses 3.29 and 0.
62 times the carcinogenic potency and mutagenic potency, respectively,
posed by the maximum B(a)P concentration. The maximum daily intake ra
te (MDI) of B(a)P equivalencies was estimated at 0.15 mug/d. A prelimi
nary cancer assessment is performed indicating a need for a complete r
isk assessment.