AROMATIC-HYDROCARBON

This study assessed the levels of selected heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in suya meat sold in Ugbowo, Benin City, to evaluate its safety for consumers. Ugbowo is a busy area with dense traffic and open-air vending that exposes food to contamination from vehicle emissions, dust, and smoke. Two composite suya samples were analyzed—one obtained from roadside vendors along major express routes and the other from residential areas including 19th Street, BDPA, and Edo Street in Ekosodin. The samples were oven-dried, homogenized, digested with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, and analyzed for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were extracted and determined using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). The AAS results showed the presence of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni), while chromium (Cr) was below detection in both samples. Concentrations (mg/kg) for express road samples and residential sample were Pb (4.348, 5.002), Cr (<0.001, <0.001), Cu (1.635, 0.654), Cd (4.381, 3.988), and Ni (9.578, 5.230), all exceeding WHO/FAO permissible limits, indicating contamination likely from road dust, metal grills, or fuel combustion. GC–MS analysis revealed that all sixteen priority PAHs were below the detection limit (0.000 mg/kg) in both samples, suggesting minimal formation during grilling. Overall, the results indicate that while PAH contamination was negligible, heavy metal levels were significantly high, posing potential health risks to frequent consumers. The study recommends regular monitoring of street-vended foods and improved hygiene and roasting practices among suya vendors in Benin City.