Knowledge of Risk Associated with Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of chemical compounds that contain mostly carbon and fluorine in their structure. They do not occur freely in nature but are produced industrially. Recent Studies have shown that PFAS exposure to the environment is persistent, bioaccumulative and poisonous to all life forms. Also, reports indicate that some of these products are being phased out in America and Europe but some of them still find their way to African markets and other parts of the world. The challenge is that a great number of people in Abuja, the study area do not know what PFAS is and the risk associated with the use of products that contain PFAS. Therefore the study is to ascertain the knowledge of PFAS in Abuja and highlight some of the risks of exposure. A self-designed questionnaire was used to obtain data using a random sampling technique. A total of 365 questionnaires were used for the study. The result revealed that 91% of the sampled population knew nothing about PFAS and its associated health risk while 9% knew PFAS and its associated health risk. This may point to the fact that PFAS exposure in Abuja may not pose only a localized risk but may progress to be a global risk. Therefore this paper recommends massive study and awareness programmes on PFAS and also appeals for the support and collaboration of industrialized nations towards programmes that will ensure sustainability.