|
|
FULL REPORT
2: Babies are vulnerable to chemical harm 3: Human health problems on the rise
Printer-Friendly Version (PDF) RELATED DOCUMENTS
News Release: CDC Petition (21 July) EWG Ltr to Chemical Companies (21 July) EWG Letter to Chemical Lobby (PDF) Chemical Lobby Response #1 (PDF) Follow-Up Letter to Chemical Lobby (21 July) Stmt from US Rep. Slaughter (PDF) Stmt from Minority Leader Pelosi (PDF)
THE LATEST ON BODY BURDEN
Printable Version of This Page
|
AnthraceneAnthracene was found in 5 of 10 umbilical cord blood samples from babies born in U.S. hospitals in 2004, at concentrations ranging from 11.9 to 23.2 ng/g (lipid weight, in whole blood). It was also found in 3 of 3 adult blood samples, at concentrations ranging from 9.4 to 11.9 ng/g (lipid weight, in whole blood). PAHs are a group of chemicals formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, or other organic substances, such as tobacco and charbroiled meat. Other sources of PAHs include asphalt and roofing tar. PAHs are found throughout the environment in air, water, and soil. There are more than 100 PAH compounds, and although the toxicity of individual PAHs is not identical, there are some similarities. PAHs are linked to cancer in both animals and humans. In humans, PAH exposure by inhalation or skin contact has been linked to cancer. Laboratory studies show that PAHs cause tumors in laboratory animals when inhaled, ingested, or in contact with the skin. PAHs cause birth defects, are toxic to the skin, blood, reproductive and immune systems in animals. Although robust information exists for only some of the PAHs investigated in this study, studies show that toxicity profiles are likely similar across all chemicals in this family. EPA has determined that seven PAH chemicals are "probable" human carcinogens: benz[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, chrysene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and indeno[ 1,2,3-c,d]pyrene. (ATSDR 1995).
* Information may include trade names, manufacturers, and products for other chemicals in the Polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) class.
|
||||||||||||||||
