Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Polyherbal Drug: Human Health Exposure-Associated Risk Assessment Study.

PAHs are pervasive pollutants known to bioaccumulate in environmental matrices, plants, and humans. Dr. Iguedo Goko Cleanser (R) is a polyherbal drug with unsubstantiated claims to treat various diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. PAHs were measured following EPA-16 PAHs guidelines using Gas Chromatography (Agilent-6890N, USA). The drug's exposure-associated public health concerns was determined using suitable mathematical paradigms. PAHs present were acenaphthene (2.74 x 10-2), pyrene (2.7598 x 10-2), and chrysene (5.1277 x 10-2) ppm. Dietary intake of chrysene, acenaphthene and pyrene for adults, and children ranged from 2.466-4.615 x 10-3 and 1.215-2.308 x 10-3 ppm/mg/kg, respectively. B[alpha]Peq, EDB[alpha]Peq, and incremental lifetime cancer risk were determined to be 5.6777 x 10-4, 5.109912 x 10-5 and 5.3289 x 10-12, respectively. Our results suggest a high risk of non-carcinogenic adverse health effects, especially on chronic exposure among adolescents and adults, necessitating caution and/or avoidance of its chronic use. Therefore, policy formulation and implementation as regards the safety of plant-based remedies and allied products before their distribution among end-users must be ensured.