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.

Polycyclische aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe (PAHs) gehören zu den ersten Chemikalien, die als krebserregend für den Menschen erkannt wurden. Erstmals werden in diesem Buch PAHs mit mehr als sieben Ringen auf modernem Stand systematisch abgehandelt. Spezielle Kapitel beschäftigen sich mit Probenvorbereitung und -handling; auch ein Vergleich verschiedener Analyseverfahren ist enthalten. Besonders nützlich für den Laboralltag ist ein ausführlicher Anhang mit Strukturformeln sowie UV-Absorptions- und Fluoreszenz-Emissionsspektren von fast 50 Verbindungen.

The mystery of the diffuse interstellar bands has been variously a curiosity, a co nundrum, and a nuisance for astronomers in the seven decades since the features were first noticed, but recently they have become a forefront issue in astrophysics. Ever since Paul Merrill, in a series of papers starting in 1934, pointed out the interstellar and unidentified nature of the bands, a Who's Who of twentieth century astronomers have tried their hands at solving the problem of identifying the carriers. Henry Norris Russell, Pol Swings, Otto Struve, Paul Ledoux, W. W. Morgan, Walter Adams, Jesse Greenstein, Lawrence Aller, and Gerhard Herzberg all briefly entered the stage, only to move on quickly to other problems where the chances for progress appeared more realistic. In more recent times a number of equally prominent scientists have pursued the bands, but generally only as a sideline to their real astronomical research. But in the past decade, and particularly in the past three years, the view of the search for the diffuse band absorbers as an interesting but perhaps quixotic quest has changed. Today there are several astronomers, as well as laboratory chemists, who are devoting substantial research time and resources to the problem and, as perhaps the most reliable indicator of the newly elevated status of research in this field, some research grants have now been awarded for the study of the bands.

Presents accounts of current research in polynuclear aromatic compounds, showing examples of studies both of pure compounds and of complex, fossil fuel related mixtures. Offers a thorough knowledge of aromatic chemistry through coverage of reduction, oxidation, and thermal reactions--including applications developed for both coal and petroleum materials. Featured topics include quantum chemical structure-reactivity relationships, spatial configurations of large polynuclear hydrocarbons, cyclophanes, and desulfurization of heterocycles. Scientists studying all aspects of the chemistry of polynuclear aromatics will discover important, pertinent information in this volume.

This volume concerns sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), their emission factors, and relative importance. It deals with exposure, uptake, metabolism, and detection of PAH in the human body. The volume contains an update of information in environmental and biochemical studies of PAH.