ABSTRACT
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ringed hydrocarbons that are created during the incomplete combustion of petroleum fuels. They also naturally occur as major components of petroleum. They are chemicals of concern because of their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. PAHs are ubiquitous in the modern environment because of widespread petroleum use. Sixteen PAHs are listed as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) priority pollutants, as shown in Table 8.1.
