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ABSTRACT
Concentrations of toxic pollutants were measured in frozen Blue Whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) collected from cold storage points at New Benin, Oba market road, Sapele road and Uselu axes in Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria. This was carried out to monitor the dynamics of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and evaluate the safety of this fish for consumption. Fish samples were purchased monthly between September and December, 2021 and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Samples were analysed using a gas chromatograph (Perkin 5890) and the results presented in mg/kg. Summary statistics for mean concentrations of detectable PCBs in M. poutassou ranged from 0.131 mg/kg (PCB 126) to 0.0181 mg/kg (PCB 180), with a total of 0.182 mg/kg while the mean concentrations of PCBs in M. poutassou by cold storage points ranged from 0.0158 mg/kg (PCB 180) at Uselu to 0.138 mg/kg (PCB 126) at Uselu with observed significant differences (p˂0.05) in the mean concentrations of PCB 126 in fish between cold storage points. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean concentrations of PCB 138, PCB 153 and PCB 180 in the fish between the cold storage points. There were also no significant differences (P>0.05) in the mean concentrations of PCB 126, PCB 138, PCB 153, and PCB 180 in the fish across the months. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) values ranged from 0.7252µg/kg/day for PCB 180 to 5.224µg/kg/day for PCB 126. The Toxicity/Hazard Quotient (TQ) of the PCB congeners ranged from 0.009065mg/kg for PCB 108 to 0.0653mg/kg for PCB 126.
The calculated toxicity quotient (TQ) for M. poutassou from cold storage points in Benin (0.0653 for PCB 126) suggests a likely future occurrence of adverse effects to humans who regularly consume the fish. This study however reveals, no immediate health and ecological risks associated with PCB contamination in M. poutassou.
