Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology Journal of Particle Science and Technology 2423-4087 11 1 2025 06 25 Toxicity and carcinogenic potentials of particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emitted at the epicenter of major abattoirs in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria 39 51 1610 10.22104/jpst.2025.7900.1284 EN Ismail E Muhibbudin Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria Tinuoye Agnes Ifeoluwa Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria Pelumi David Kehinde Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria Journal Article 2025 09 30 Abattoirs have been identified as significant sources of aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), due to the combustion-intensive nature of meat processing activities, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. These compounds are recognized as persistent environmental pollutants with carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxicological effects, thereby posing substantial risks to both human health and ecological systems. Both passive and active air sampling techniques were employed to determine particulate-bound PAHs. A fabricated polyurethane foam (PUF) disk sampler, an air quality monitor, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis were used. The particle-bound polycyclic hydrocarbons PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and TSP measured at the abattoirs in Kwara State, Nigeria were 121-1557, 139-1744, and 265-3301 µg.m^-3, respectively, for the Sobi abattoir, and 165.25-684.5, 196.25-726.25, and 265-1178.25 µg.m^-3 for the Ipata abattoir. The toxicity potential (TP) for the particulate emissions at the Sobi abattoir ranged between 0.47 and 30.54, while the Ipata abattoir ranged between 0.54 and 18.75. The incremental cancer inhalation risk assessment (ILRC) for exposure within the Sobi and Ipata abattoirs was estimated at 3.319 × 10^-7and 5.01 × 10^-7,respectively. The adverse non-cancer health risk was 1.481 and 0.300 for Sobi and Ipata, respectively. The study confirms that PAH emissions from these abattoirs pose measurable non-cancer health risks to exposed vulnerable populations and recommends adopting cleaner technologies, such as a solar or biogas-heated scalding system, to mitigate emissions and protect the vulnerable. https://jpst.irost.ir/article_1610_a14ac55a4f27472c5d894ec1c3c743d2.pdf