Assessing Approaches of Human Inhalation Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: A Review

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of important organic pollutants widely emitted from anthropogenic activities, with a general distribution in the gas and particulate phases. Some PAHs are carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic. Inhalation exposure to PAHs is correlated with adverse health outcomes in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Thus, it is significant to determine the exposure level of the general population. This study summarizes the evaluation methods for PAH exposure, focusing on different exposure parameters. External exposure can be determined via the collection of the environmental pollution concentration through active samplers or passive samplers during environmental monitoring or personal sampling. Time-activity patterns give critical exposure information that captures the exposure period, origin, and behaviors. Modeling is a labor-less approach for human exposure estimation, and microenvironmental exposure requires specific research. It is important to select appropriate methods to quantify the exposure level to provide accurate data to establish the exposure–risk relationship and make scientific suggestions for the protection of public health.

PM-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Nitro-Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Ambient Air of Vladivostok: Seasonal Variation, Sources, Health Risk Assessment and Long-Term Variability

“…Therefore, BaP was designated as the reference compound in the calculation of the toxicity of PAHs using the TEF model. The toxicity equivalency ( TEQ ) calculations were performed as follows [ 37 , 38 ]: where TEF i is the toxic equivalent factor of individual PAHs ( Table S2 ).…”

The utilization of hydrophobic wax beads for the absorption of gas particles: A one health approach to address fuel spills in lake Muskoka

“…Fuel spills, and specifically PAHs, are known to have negative health impacts on humans, non-human animals, and the environment (see Figure 1). Humans can be exposed to PAHs via inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact (Zhang et al, 2021). In the case of lake contamination with PAHs, ingestion of fish or other seafood is a notable pathway of human exposure (Carreño & Lloret, 2021).…”

Biodiversidad bacteriana presente en suelos contaminados con hidrocarburos para realizar biorremediación

“…Entre estos grupos se encuentran el benzo(a) pireno carcinogénico para los humanos, y los compuestos de ciclopental (a, d) pireno, dibenzo (a, h) antraceno y dibenzo (a, 1) pireno, los cuales fueron clasificados como probables carcinogénicos; mientras que el benz [j] aceantrileno, benz [a] antraceno (BaA), benzo [b] fluoranteno (BbF) y otros 12 compuestos de similares características químicas han sido clasificados como posibles carcinogénicos para humanos (Cuadro 1). La exposición durante corto o mediano plazo de este tipo de compuestos puede producir disfunción reproductiva y en las mujeres embarazadas pueden afectar al feto (Zhang et al, 2021).…”

“…Por otro lado, los compuestos con cinco o seis anillos de carbono, cuyo peso molecular es alto, se encuentran en su mayoría en forma de PM. El diámetro de estas partículas es diferenciado, siendo más pequeños aquellos que recién fueron emitidos desde una fuente identificable y, por tanto, se mantienen en la atmosfera por largos periodos de tiempo hasta que ocurra la coagulación de las partículas y se produzca la deposición húmeda o seca, gracias a su propia velocidad de sedimentación (Zhang et al, 2021).…”