Contamination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Environment

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic chemicals consisting of two or more fused benzene ring. These compounds were seriously concerned with the pollution because they could be biomagnified through food chain. In addition, they are carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds and are stable in the environment. The degradation of PAHs in the atmosphere could occur through biodegradation, photodegradation, and chemical degradation. Several sources of PAHs are contaminated in the environment: pyrogenic, petrogenic and biological source. This caused PAHs to be spoiled and distributed in widely environment. However, the most crucial cause of PAH contamination in the environment was an anthropogenic source, especially industrial activity. In this article, the data of PAH contamination were collected, including PAH contamination in the atmosphere, soil, sediment, water, and food. However, PAH contamination in the atmosphere is the primary source of distributing PAHs to other environments. The urgent removal of PAHs in the atmosphere is necessary.