PAHs Contamination in agricultural products and corresponding health risk attributable to soil and ambient PAHs pollution in a large coke production base in Shanxi, China

As one of the largest coke production area in the world, heavy contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-a group of organics with carcinogenic and mutagenic potentials that are mainly produced from incomplete... [ view full abstract ]

As one of the largest coke production area in the world, heavy contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-a group of organics with carcinogenic and mutagenic potentials that are mainly produced from incomplete combustion process, in air and soil has been documented, and arisen grown concerns on environmental quality and food safety. In this study, we investigated the contamination of PAHs in agricultural products like wheat and corn grown in a coking base. Rhizosphere soil, dust and ambient samples (gaseous and particulate phases) were collected to look into the relationship between PAHs in agricultural products and the contamination level in soil and/or air. 28 PAHs, including 16 U.S EPA priority PAHs and 12 additional PAHs with some high molecular weight ones, were analyzed using a GC–MS in EI mode. Further efforts are to address potential human health risk due to inhalation and dietary PAHs exposure. The study provide valuable information on the contamination and potential sources of PAHs in agricultural products, and also important suggestions and publicity for local residents and policy makers on the food safety and effective control countermeasures in the coke production base.