PCNs (polychlorinated napthalenes): Dietary exposure via cereal crops, distribution and screening-level risk assessment in wheat, rice, soil and air along two tributaries of the River Chenab, Pakistan

- First study to report PCN in food crops from Pakistan
- Urban/industrial sites were classified as potential sources of PCN in the study area.
- Dietary exposure by consumption of cereal crops was considerable in the study area.
- TEQs values were in accordance to the previously published data.

There is a lack of scientific literature regarding the bioaccumulation, dietary and toxicity exposure of PCN via food crops. The current study presents the information of dietary intake, distribution pattern and screening level risk assessment of PCN in wheat, rice, soil and air along upstream feeding tributaries of the River Chenab, Punjab Province, Pakistan. A total six air and twenty eight of soil, wheat and rice samples were collected during Jan, 2013 to June, 2013 to analyze the thirty nine PCN congeners. ∑39PCN concentrations were ranged between 0.02 and 0.21 ng g− 1 dw, 0.02-1.21 ng g− 1 dw, 24.6-233 ng g− 1 dw and 1222-5052 pg m− 3 in wheat, rice, soil and air samples, respectively. In this study soil exhibited higher TEQ values while in case of air, wheat and rice TEQ concentrations were in accordance with the previously reported pattern from other parts of the world. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of ∑39PCN through consumption of wheat and rice was estimated as 0.21 ng kg− 1 (body weight) day− 1 and 0.03 ng kg− 1 (body weight) day− 1, respectively. This is the first report of PCN dietary intake and screening-level risk assessment by consumption of cereal crops from Pakistan. The results of dietary and toxicity exposure of PCN warrant auxiliary devotion in future, to this group of contaminant.