ABSTRACT
There are extensive data available on the biological effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in general, and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in particular, as well as epidemiological studies and chemical characterizations of workplace atmospheres. Determination of PAH concentrations in workplace atmospheres may not give a good measure of the effective dose of PAH received by the individual worker. The intake of PAH, their distribution in the organism, and their excretion are dependent on numerous physiological, physical, and chemical factors which have still not been sufficiently elucidated. PAH are among the chemical carcinogens which are not chemically highly reactive themselves, but exert their carcinogenic activity through metabolites which are sufficiently reactive to modify cellular macromolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins. The biological effect of airborne PAH depends on several factors such as inhalability, deposition in the respiratory tract, bioavailability, and metabolism.
