chemical Class
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Chemicals in the class:
Acenaphthene, Acenaphthylene, Anthracene, Benz[a]anthracene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Benzo[b/j]fluoranthene, Benzo[e]pyrene, Benzo[ghi]perylene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Chrysene, Dibenz[ah]anthracene, Fluoranthene, Fluorene, Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, Naphthalene, Perylene, Phenanthrene, Pyrene
Summary
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).
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Top health concerns for Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (References)
| health concern or target organ | weight of evidence |
| Reproduction and fertility | unknown |
| Cancer | limited |
Other health concerns for Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (References)
| health concern or target organ | weight of evidence |
| Persistent, accumulates in wildlife and/or people | probable |
| Gastrointestinal (including liver) | limited |
| Endocrine system | known |
| Skin | unknown |
| Sense organs | moderate |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | moderate |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | limited |
| Cardiovascular system | limited |
| Hematologic (blood) system | strong |
Data gaps for Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (References)
Data are insufficient to assess cancer potential.
Violations, restrictions, and warnings for Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (References)
Unsafe for use in cosmetics, Canada.
Prohibited for use in cosmetics in the European Union.
Other relevant risk considerations for Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (References)
Wildlife and environmental toxicity.
Toxicity Classifications (References)
| classification | governing entity/references |
| A2- Suspected human carcinogen, ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygeinists) | Amer Conf of Gov't Industrial Hygienists - Carcinogens |
| A3- Confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown relevance to humans, ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygeinists) | Amer Conf of Gov't Industrial Hygienists - Carcinogens |
| B2 Probable human carcinogen - based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals (1986) | EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) |
| Bioaccumulative toxicant under Canada's Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics program - targeted for elimination or reduction | EC (Environment Canada). 1994. Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET). ARET substance list of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. |
| Cancer hazards: recognized | P65 |
| Carcinogenicity cannot be determined (EPA classification) | EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) |
| Cardiovascular or blood toxicity hazards: suspected | EPA-HEN, HAZMAP, LADO, MALA |
| Cataracts - Good | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Developmental toxicity hazards: suspected | JANK, P65-PEND, EPA-HEN, EPA-SARA |
| Endocrine toxicity hazards: suspected | KEIT, KEIT, WWF |
| Gastrointestinal or liver toxicity hazards: suspected | ATSDR, ATSDR, RTECS, EPA-HEN |
| Group C: Possible human carcinogen (EPA classification) | EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) |
| Group D: Not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity (EPA classification) | EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) |
| Hazardous air pollutant under Clean Air Act | EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants |
| IARC 3: mixed or limited evidence on human cancer potential (International Agency for Research on Carcinogens) | Inter'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Carcinogens |
| IARC Group 2A: probable human carcinogen (International Agency for Research on Carcinogens) | Inter'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Carcinogens |
| IARC Group 2B: possible human carcinogen (International Agency for Research on Carcinogens) | Inter'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Carcinogens |
| Immunotoxicity hazards: suspected | IPCS |
| Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect; Harmful; Harmful if swallowed; Dangerous for the environment; Very toxic to aquatic organisms | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| May cause cancer (European Union classification); May cause cancer; Dangerous for the environment; Very toxic to aquatic organisms | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| May cause cancer (European Union classification); May cause cancer; Limited evidence of mutagenic effect (European Union classification); Possible risk of irreversible effects; Dangerous for the environment; Very toxic to aquatic organisms | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| May cause cancer (European Union classification); May cause cancer; May be mutagenic (European Union classification); May cause heritable genetic damage; May be toxic to the reproductive system (European Union classification); May impair fertility; May cause sensitization by skin contact; Dangerous for the environment; Very toxic to aquatic organisms | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| Methemoglobinemia - Strong | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Moderate evidence in humans: hematologic system toxicity; Condition: anemia (including hemolytic); Organs/tissues affected: blood | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - European Chemicals Bureau PBT working group | EU (2006). PRIO database - a tool for risk reduction of chemicals. Secondary PRIO database - a tool for risk reduction of chemicals. Secondary Kemi. Place Published, Kemi-Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate. |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - Great Lakes Binational Strategy, Tier 1 concern (highest), targeted for phase-out | Great Lakes BTS (Binational Toxics Strategy). 1997. Canada-United States Strategy for the Virtual Elimination of Persistent Toxic Substances in the Great Lakes. Appendix I - Level 1 and Level 2 substances. |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - Great Lakes Binational Strategy, Tier 2 concern (moderate), targeting for monitoring/testing | Great Lakes BTS (Binational Toxics Strategy). 1997. Canada-United States Strategy for the Virtual Elimination of Persistent Toxic Substances in the Great Lakes. Appendix I - Level 1 and Level 2 substances. |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - Limited or emerging evidence in open scientific literature | Emerging PBTs from peer-reviewed literature |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - Oslo-Paris (OSPAR) Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, chemical of concern | OSPAR (2002). OSPAR List of Substances of Possible Concern. Secondary OSPAR List of Substances of Possible Concern. Secondary OSPAR. Place Published, OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environement of North-East Atlanic. |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, priority chemical for voluntary waste/emission reductions | EPA Waste Minimization Program (RCRA) (1998) |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant under Canada's Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics program - targeted for elimination or reduction | EC (Environment Canada). 1994. Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET). ARET substance list of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic under the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory | EPA Toxic Release Inventory (1999) |
| Potential occupational carcinogen according to NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) | NIOSH Carcinogens List |
| Priority substance in EU water policy | European Union - Water Framework Directive |
| Priority water pollutant under the Clean Water Act | EPA Water Quality Standards Database |
| Prohibited from use in Canadian cosmetics | Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist |
| Prohibited in EU cosmetics: must not form part of the composition of cosmetic products | European Union - Banned or Restricted in Cosmetics |
| Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen (National Toxicology Program classification) | NTP Report on Carcinogens, 11th Edition |
| Reproductive effects - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed | Hombach-Klonisch, S., P. Pocar, et al. (2005). Molecular actions of polyhalogenated arylhydrocarbons (PAHs) in female reproduction. Curr Med Chem 12(5): 599-616. |
| Respiratory toxicity hazards: suspected | EPA-HEN, FOTH, RTECS, ATSDR, FOTH, OEHHA-CREL, NTP-HS |
| Skin or sense organ toxicity hazards: suspected | KLAA, TIMB, LADO, RTECS, EPA-HEN, LU, RTECS, NTP-HS |
| Toxic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs | EPA Toxic Release Inventory (1999) |
| Very persistent, very bioaccumulative, toxic under the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory | EPA Toxic Release Inventory (1999) |
