Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Health effects
Description
Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and bronchial tubes. Skin contact can cause irritation or a skin allergy. Very high levels may cause headaches, nausea, damage the red blood cells, damage the liver and kidneys, and may even cause death. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has cited a number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as 'probably carcinogenic to humans', a number of others are cited as being 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'.
Entering the body
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons will enter the body if we breathe in contaminated air, or consume food or water that has been contaminated. Skin contact with heavy oils or other products (creosote, roofing tar, other tars, oils) containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons will result in uptake.
Exposure
In the home, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are present in tobacco smoke, smoke from home heating (buning wood or oil), char-grilled food and cresote treated wood products. Some workplaces can give exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. High concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been found in coal-tar production plants, coking plants, bitumen and asphalt production plants, smoke houses, aluminium production plants, and trash incinerators. They are found in facilities that manufacture or use petroleum, petroleum products or coal, or where wood, or other plant materials are burned. People may also be exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the soil where coal, wood, petrol or other products have ben burned. Food produced from these soils may also contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Health guidelines
Worksafe Australia:
For naphthalene, the eight hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit is 10 parts per million, with the short term exposure limit (STEL) concentration not to exceed 15 parts per million.
Australian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines (NHMRC and ARMCANZ, 1996):
Benzo-(a)-pyrene: Maximum of 0.00001 mg/L (i.e. 0.00000001 g/L).
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