ABSTRACT
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic chemicals occurring naturally or as products of the incomplete combustion of oil, coal or other organic materials. PAHs are encountered in the environment largely as a result of human activity. Exposure is typically to a mixture of PAHs, rather than a single compound. Common sources include crude oil, coal, coal tar, asphalt, fires, cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust and hazardous waste sites. Cooking food to high temperatures by grilling or searing may produce PAHs in the food, and air. Urban air may contain from less than 1 to 20 mg/m3 PAHs. Many people are exposed to PAHs in the workplace. PAHs are found in groundwater which may be used for drinking purposes as a result of leaking underground storage tanks (USTs). The greatest sources of PAHs for most of the U.S. population are active or passive inhalation of these compounds in wood smoke, tobacco smoke, contaminated air, or ingestion of the compounds in foodstuffs. The average total daily intake of PAHs by a member of the general population is estimated to be 0.207 mg from air, 0.027 mg from water, and 0.16 to 1.6 mg from food. 5
