Biological effects summary report: pyrene

Technical Report · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5442985

Keimig, S D; Pattillo, R W

A comprehensive review of pyrene was conducted to assess the potential health effects of this polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and to evaluate the need for recommending an interim occupational exposure limit to protect the health of exposed workers. Pyrene is formed as a trace pollutant during incomplete combustion of organic matter. Concentrations of pyrene in urban and industrial settings are generally higher than the levels recorded for benzo(a)pyrene. Concentrations of pyrene vary but are usually less than 50% of the total PAH, depending on the industry sampled. In humans, pyrene is a photosensitive material. Acute photo irritation effects may persist as chronic skin discoloration for as long as five months. No other documented clinical or epidemiological studies were found on effects of pure pyrene. There is evidence of co-carcinogenicity of pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene in mice. There is no clear evidence that pyrene is a tumor initiator. At this time, we do not recommend that a standard be set specific to pyrene in mixtures since available data on biological effects are limited, and since possible effects due to interactions of pyrene and the myriad of polynuclear aromatic compounds present during typical exposures have not been assessed. An exposure limit of 0.1 mg/m/sup 3/ would likely prevent photosensitization and irritation effects of pure pyrene. We recommend that the coal tar pitch volatile standard (CTPV) continue to be used for mixtures containing less than 50% pyrene. All exposures should be as low as reasonably achievable since in animals, pyrene appears to be a co-carcinogen with benzo(a)pyrene. 112 refs., 11 tabs.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 5442985
• Report Number(s): BNL-51885; ON: DE85017010
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
AIR POLLUTION
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CONDENSED AROMATICS
DATA
DATA COMPILATION
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
DOCUMENT TYPES
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROCARBONS
INFORMATION
INHALATION
INJURIES
INTAKE
KIDNEYS
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MAN
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
METABOLISM
NATURAL OCCURRENCE
NITRO COMPOUNDS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORAL ADMINISTRATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
PERSONNEL
PHARYNX
POLLUTION
POLYCYCLIC NITRO COMPOUNDS
PRIMATES
PYRENE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RETENTION
REVIEWS
RODENTS
SAFETY STANDARDS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SKIN
SKIN ABSORPTION
STANDARDS
STOMACH
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRACHEA
UPTAKE
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES