Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00121a603· OSTI ID:6942742

Josephson, J

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can enter the environment in several ways, primarily through the incomplete combustion of carbonaceous materials or through processes that convert coal into synthetic fuels. Other sources of PAHs include the manufacture of carbon black, creosote, soot, vehicular emissions (especially diesel), residual oil, and wood smoke. The principal path of human exposure is through inhalation. Some PAHs are of concern because they can become mutagenic or carcinogenic after being metabolized. However, certain substituted PAHs seem to exhibit direct mutagenic or carcinogenic activity. Some of the most vigorous research activity related to PAhs has concentrated on refining analytical techniques and on development of a better understanding of PAH-induced mutagenesis and carcinogenesis at a molecular level. Selected studies are described in the review.

• OSTI ID: 6942742
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 18:3; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
AFFINITY
AROMATICS
BINDING ENERGY
CARBON
CARBON BLACK
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CARCINOGENESIS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COLLOIDS
COMBUSTION
CREOSOTE
DIESEL ENGINES
DISPERSIONS
DNA
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENGINES
EXHAUST GASES
FERMIONS
FLUIDS
FUELS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
HEAT ENGINES
HYDROCARBONS
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
LEPTONS
MATERIALS
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
MUTAGENESIS
NITRO COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
PATHOGENESIS
POLLUTION SOURCES
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RESIDUES
SMOKES
SOLS
SOOT
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTES
WOOD FUELS