Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons: Formation, metabolism and measurement

Abstract

This book discusses the Seventh International PAH (Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons) Symposium which showed the continuing expansion of interest in the study of these materials. Several papers were presented on the ability of microorganisms to metabolize PAH into derivative molecules, both from the view of microbes as degraders of hazardous materials, and as a source of potentially dangerous intermediate compounds that could affect humans. Also was presented a view of the fate of PAH in species of animals in aquatic environments, and how these chemicals can be maintained in lower species for availability to higher animal species which man routinely uses as direct food sources. The authors continued to learn how PAH, when attached to the surface of apparently inert particles, can have dramatically altered effects in the lungs of higher animals. They learned the way in which PAH can be formed in the hot gas streams of combusting hydrocarbon fuels and in so learning, can devise better methods for utilizing carbon-based fuels.