Document heading
Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with special focus on cancer

https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(15)30003-4Get rights and content
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ABSTRACT

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of compounds consisting of two or more fused aromatic rings. Most of them are formed during incomplete combustion of organic materials such as wood and fossil fuels, petroleum products, and coal. The composition of PAH mixtures varies with the source and is also affected by selective weathering effects in the environment. PAHs are ubiquitous pollutants frequently found in a variety of environments such as fresh water and marine sediments, the atmosphere, and ice. Due to their widespread distribution, the environmental pollution due to PAHs has aroused global concern. Many PAHs and their epoxides are highly toxic, mutagenic and/or carcinogenic to microorganisms as well as to higher forms of life including humans. The main aim of this review is to provide contemporary information on PAH sources, route of exposure, worldwide emission rate, and adverse effects on humans, especially with reference to cancer.

KEYWORDS

PAH
Environmental pollution
DMBA
Benzo(a)pyrene
Cancer

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PEER REVIEW

Peer reviewer

Dr. Ramalingam Mahesh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Metabolic Diseases Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, South Korea. Tel: +82-10-2769-1978, +82-2-961-0869, E-mail: [email protected]

Co-reviewer: Kalayarasan Srinivasan, Dallas, USA.

Comments

This review is a valuable work in which authors have explained the sources and the emissions of PAHs. PAHs and their epoxides emission create cancer and other adverse effects to living organisms. Authors have explained that PAHs is toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic. It is urged to develop strategies aimed to minimizing the content of PAHs in environment.

Details on Page 187

Foundation Project: Supported by UGC-Non net plan (Grant No. No:co/Tara/UGC-Non-Net/UGC-XII Plan/Pharamacology&ET/2014/706 dated 28th march 2014).

Available online 30 Jan 2015