Pages: (77-86 )
Abstract
Concerns have been raised about the potential health effects of using mosquito coils, particularly the presence of aromatic hydrocarbons in the smoke emitted when the coils are burned. When burned, these compounds can produce harmful chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been linked to cancer and other health problems. Samples of four different brands of mosquito coils were collected in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The results of the GC-FID analysis showed that all four brands of mosquito coils contained PAHs. The levels of PAHs in the mosquito coils were correlated with each other, suggesting that they may be derived from the same sources. The highest levels of PAHs were found in the Black coil and SWAN samples. The results of this study highlight the potential health risks associated with the use of mosquito coils. The levels of PAHs in the mosquito coils in this study were relatively high, and it is possible that exposure to these levels of PAHs could pose a health risk. The results of this study suggest that people who use mosquito coils should be aware of the potential health risks associated with their use
Keywords: gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID), mosquito coils, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),