Exposure to carcinogenic PAHs in the environment

The concentrations of 8 possible or probable carcinogenic PAH in the environment, and consequent human exposure, were estimated from published data. The review showed food concentrations of tens of ppb in the highest categories which included leaf vegetables, grains, fats, oils, grilled and smoked m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 1992-07, Vol.26 (7), p.1278-1284
Main Authors: Menzie, Charles A, Potocki, Bonnie B, Santodonato, Joseph
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AIR POLLUTION
ALIMENTOS
AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CARCINOGENOS
CARCINOGENS
CONTAMINACION
CONTAMINANTES
CONTAMINATION
Environment
ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA
ETATS UNIS
FOODS
Fossil fuels
HIDROCARBUROS
HIDROCARBUROS AROMATICOS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROCARBURE
HYDROCARBURE AROMATIQUE
POLLUANT
POLLUTANTS
Pollution
POLLUTION ATMOSPHERIQUE
POLLUTION DE L'EAU
POLUCION DEL AGUA
POLUCION DEL AIRE
POLYCYCLIC HYDROCARBONS
PRODUIT ALIMENTAIRE
SUBSTANCE CANCERIGENE
USA
WATER POLLUTION
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Summary:The concentrations of 8 possible or probable carcinogenic PAH in the environment, and consequent human exposure, were estimated from published data. The review showed food concentrations of tens of ppb in the highest categories which included leaf vegetables, grains, fats, oils, grilled and smoked meats. Drinking water values were in the 1-10 ng per litre range. Air concentrations varied widely according to local industry and, within buildings, the presence of tobacco smoke; 15-50 ng per m3 were found in highly urban areas. PAH levels in urban soils were 0.6-3.0 ppm, the higher values probably arising from road dust. Coastal sediments gave a median of 0.1 ppm. PAH intakes for an average man were calculated as 1-5, 0.02-3.0, 0.0002-0.12 ug per d from food, air and water, respectively. Smoking considerably increased intake. Children could ingest 0.003-0.3 ug per d from incidental soil consumption. No allowances were made for occupational exposures. Food was normally the principal cause of PAH ingestion by humans. There are 44 references.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/es00031a002