Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemical compounds that consist of fused aromatic rings and do not contain heteroatoms or carry substituents. PAHs are one of the most widespread organic pollutants. Their occurrence is largely a result of anthropogenic and natural emissions such as fossil fuel-burning, motor vehicle, waste incinerator, oil refining, coke and asphalt production, and aluminum production. This book examines recent developments in the field.

This book presents WHO guidelines for the protection of public health from risks due to a number of chemicals commonly present in indoor air. The substances considered in this review, i.e. benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, naphthalene, nitrogen dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (especially benzo[a]pyrene), radon, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene, have indoor sources, are known in respect of their hazardousness to health and are often found indoors in concentrations of health concern. The guidelines are targeted at public health professionals involved in preventing health risks of environmental exposures, as well as specialists and authorities involved in the design and use of buildings, indoor materials and products. They provide a scientific basis for legally enforceable standards.

This 1991 volume was the first to review the chemical properties of the carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

This book reviews Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Nitropolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (NPAHs) contamination in the context of environmental pollution in Asia. It is comprised of the following sections: 1. Fundamental Chemistry and General Characteristics; 2. Analytical Methods; 3. Emission Source and Atmospheric Behavior; 4. Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and PM2.5; 5. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Marine Environments; 6. Metabolic Activation/Toxicities; and 7. Environmental Standards and Guidelines. This volume concentrates on the Far East due to the massive consumption of coal and petroleum in China, which has led to considerable levels of air pollution. High concentration of atmospheric PM2.5 in Beijing have been reported since January 2013 and exposure to such high concentrations may cause respiratory, cardiac and lung diseases. Gathering contributions from international experts, this volume provides a valuable reference guide for global researchers and students interested in learning from the East Asian experience.

Completely revised and updated with 18 new chapters, this second edition includes contributions from over 75 international experts. Also, a Technical Review Board reviewed all manuscripts for accuracy and currency. Focusing on toxic substance and how they affect the ecosystems worldwide, the book presents methods for quantifying and measuring ecotoxicological effects in the field and in the lab, as well as methods for estimating, predicting, and modeling in ecotoxicology studies. This is the definitive reference for students, researchers, consultants, and other professionals in the environmental sciences, toxicology, chemistry, biology, and ecology - in academia, industry, and government.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), or polyarenes, are one of the largest and most structurally diverse class of organic molecules known. High percentages of polyarenes, representing a wide range of molecular sizes and structural types, are present in coal tars and petroleum residues. The major sources of PAHs are crude oil, coal and oil shale. The fuels produced from these fossil sources constitute the primary source of energy for the industrial nations of the world, and the petrochemicals from these raw materials are the basis of the synthetic fibre and plastics industries. PAHs are however, widespread pollutants and their impact on the environment and human health must be monitored and controlled. This book will review and assess our scientific understanding of the ecological exposure and effects PAHs have in different environments and habitats. It will accomplish this by taking the recipients of the pollution in the environment as starting points and working its way back through pathways to access what is required for our understanding of effects and rationale for control. Although this book will concentrate on ecological exposure of PAHs, the general impacts of PAHs on human populations will be touched upon. It is thought to be the first book to focus on the ecological aspects of PAHs.