Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons as Ambient Air Pollutants

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are complex chemical contaminants that have an equal impact on environmental sustainability and public health. They are found in diverse environmental matrices including soil, water, air, and even food. PAHs are produced by several processes, including industry, automobile emissions, and home heating, and they contribute to both indoor and outdoor air pollution. They are also produced through natural processes. PAHs can build up in soil, water, and sediments due to their notorious environmental persistency. PAHs can bioaccumulate and travel long-distance in air environments and also present health risks to humans upon exposure. Their wide distribution demonstrates their ecological implications, which affect human, biodiversity ecosystem health. Human exposure to PAHs can occur from inhaling contaminated air, eating or drinking contaminated food or drink, or skin contact. This can lead to a wide range of health issues. Because some of the congeners of PAH are carcinogenic, thus, exposure to PAHs is associated with an increased risk of lung, skin, and bladder cancer. Additionally, they play a part in non-carcinogenic health impacts such as anomalies in the nervous system, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and immune system failure. Because of the toxicity and persistence of PAHs, robust mitigating strategies are needed. Strict legislative restrictions on emissions, technological developments in pollution control, and raising public awareness to reduce exposure dangers should all be part of these strategies.