chemical information

CAS RN:

120-12-7

Chemical Class:

Polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)

Found in these people:

U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter, Anonymous Adult 1, Baby #8, Kathy Fowler, Baby #6, Baby #2, Baby #5, Baby #1

Found in these locations:

Upstate New York, NY; Rockville, MD

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).

Anthracene

Anthracene has been found in 8 of the 8 people tested in EWG/Commonweal studies.

Top health concerns for Anthracene (References)

health concern or target organ	weight of evidence
Reproduction and fertility	unknown

Results for Anthracene

in blood serum (lipid weight)

Showing results from EWG Study #3, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults, EWG/Commonweal Study #4, industrial chemicals and pesticides in cord blood

EWG/Commonweal results

• geometric mean: 12.9 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
• found in 8 of 8 people in the group

9.44	ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum	23.2

Detailed toxicity classifications (References)

classification	governing entity/references
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.