Evaluation of ceiling fan dust as an indicator of indoor PCBs pollution in selected cities of Punjab, Pakistan: implication on human health

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants and pose toxic effects to environment and public health. The current study investigates PCB levels in the dust samples collected from the indoor environment of three cities viz; Lahore, Faisalabad and Bahawalnagar Punjab, Pakistan. The highest concentrations of ∑ 35 PCBs were recorded from the samples of Lahore city (34.39 ng/g) followed by Faisalabad (9.94 ng/g) and Bahawalnagar (8.79 ng/g). Among the indicator, PCBs (PCB-52, PCB-101, 118,138,153, and 180), the highest concentration was measured in Lahore (6.43 ng/g), while the lowest concentration was measured in the Bahawalnagar (0.82 ng/g). In the Lahore city, dioxin-like PCBs (6.16 ng/g) concentration was higher followed by Faisalabad (0.99 ng/g) and Bahawalnagar (0.62 ng/g). The concentration of ∑ 35 PCBs, indicator PCBs, and dioxin-like PCBs were observed low as compared to studies conducted in developed countries like Canada (290 ng/g), USA (220 ng/g), and New Zealand (67 ng/g). Cancer risk probabilities of total PCBs concentration were assessed in human via ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation of dust particles in indoor. Very low risk of cancer was detected by total PCBs. The results of current research work provide baseline data of PCBs levels in indoor ceiling fan dust in three different cities of the Punjab, Pakistan.