POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHS) IN THE LEAVES OF PIPER GUINEENSE FROM TWO MARKETS WITHIN UMUAHIA METROPOLIS

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were probed in the leaves of Piper guineense obtained from Orieugba and Isigate markets within Umuahia metropolis North Local Government Area Abia State. Prior to drying, milling extraction procedures, P. each these was divided into three portions. The first portion not washed (UW), second with ordinary tap water (WTW) while third about 0.17 mol dm-3 NaCl solution (WSS). Quantitation PAHs done using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) technique. Eighteen analyzed samples market gave a total content 30.71, 22.18 8.31 mg kg-1 for UW, WTW WSS, respectively. 18.27, 15.59 1.20 This investigation showed that level leaf two decreased when but more significantly salt solution. In addition, risk assessment ΣPAH4 (the sum benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene chrysene) vegetable sample indicated there no associated consumption samples. However, it is pertinent wash vegetables before proper rinsing as this would help reduce quantity them. Keywords: PAHs; guineense; GC/MS; Vegetables; Leaf