POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON (PAH’S)

1. POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON (PAH’S) Jose. & Joe Anousaya Period 5 APES

2. Chemical Formula : C12H10 Sounds Boring? I don’t think so… Define : PAHs are a group of chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, or other organic substances, such as tobacco and charbroiled meat. There are more than 100 different PAHs. Purpose : PAH compounds are a generally hazardous class of organic compounds found in petroleum and emissions from fossil fuel and conversion processes.

3. Enters Environment PAHs are one of the most widespread organic pollutants. In addition to their presence in fossil fuels they are also formed by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as wood, coal, diesel, fat, tobacco, and incense.

4. Health Exposure Breathing: breathing smoke, auto emissions or industrial air. Most exhausts contain many different PAH compounds. People with the highest exposures are smokers, people who live or work with smokers, roofers, road builders and people who live near major highways or industrial sources. Touching: can be absorb through physical contact. Exposure can come from handling contaminated soil or bathing in contaminated water. It occurs when the person is not cleansed. Drinking/Eating: Charcoal-broiled foods, especially meats, are a source exposure. Shellfish living in contaminated water may be another major source of exposure. Drinking water may also contain the toxin. Sometimes vegetables do not contain it either. High Exposure can cause Lower IQ & Childhood asthma

5. Lung Cancer – from smoking too much such as cigarettes • Reproductive affects - Reproductive problems and problems in unborn babies’ development may occur. • Organ Damage – Such as lungs, liver, skin, and kidneys can be damaged by exposure. Depending if the person exposure is physical or from smoking/drinking. Health Issues

6. Medical Test • Many PAHs can be detected in blood or urine soon after exposure. • Tests for these compounds are not routine and can only be performed using special equipment not usually found in doctor's offices. • Blood tests of liver and kidney function are available. • People exposed to PAHs in air may want to have lung function tests done.

7. Government Enters… • The federal government has set regulations to protect people from the possible health effects of eating, drinking, or breathing PAHs. • EPA has suggested that taking into your body each day the following amounts of individual PAHs is not likely to cause any harmful health effects • The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) concluded that occupational exposure to coal products can increase the risk of lung and skin cancer in workers. NIOSH established a recommended occupational exposure limit. • Only a limit amount of time of exposure to coal & other stuff.

8. A 52-year-old man comes to your office for a health evaluation, his first in 3 years. The patient has worked at a coal tar manufacturing plant for the past 34 years. He has been exposed to varieties of PAH’s & as a result many side affects has been happening to him. Solution: He is put under treatment And care till further notice, so far He is only on medication. “Dyspnea, weight loss, and weakness in a 52-year-old male coal tar manufacturing plant worker”

9. Bibliography • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1995. Toxicological profile for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. • http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/PHS/PHS.asp?id=120&tid=25