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17.7: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Cancer

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    To Your Health: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Cancer

    The intense heating required for distilling coal tar results in the formation of PAHs. For many years, it has been known that workers in coal-tar refineries are susceptible to a type of skin cancer known as tar cancer. Investigations have shown that a number of PAHs are carcinogens. One of the most active carcinogenic compounds, benzopyrene, occurs in coal tar and has also been isolated from cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust gases, and charcoal-broiled steaks. It is estimated that more than 1,000 t of benzopyrene are emitted into the air over the United States each year. Only a few milligrams of benzopyrene per kilogram of body weight are required to induce cancer in experimental animals.

    17.7: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Cancer is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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