The oxygen (OPAHs), nitro (NPAHs), hydroxyl (OH-PAHs),
and alkylated
(APAHs) derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) are
ubiquitous pollutants in the environment. The concentrations of NPAHs,
OPAHs, OH-PAHs, and APAHs are lower than that of PAHs in the environment,
but the carcinogenic abilities of the derivatives are usually 10 to
1,000-fold higher than that of parent PAHs. There are three main pathways
for the exposure of polycyclic aromatic compounds to humans, including
inhalation, direct contact, and ingestion. After exposure by inhalation,
they are mainly distributed in the lungs, affecting lung function
and causing inflammation, asthma, etc. Due to the digestive system’s
strong capacity for metabolism, intake of PAHs and the derivatives
is primarily distributed in the digestive system and metabolized there.
And it may lead to dysplasia of these organs and even to cancer.
The skin is the primary site of direct contact with PAH derivatives.
PAH derivatives can enter the bloodstream through all three contact
pathways, thereby accumulating in various organs. This study aimed
to summarize the influence of exposure pathways on tissue distribution
and the health impact of PAH derivatives to provide references for
future research and evaluation on public health.