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Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds

Level 5 — High concernIn Winter's Dictionary

Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds is a other — 100+ chemicals formed during incomplete burning of coal/oil/gas/garbage/tobacco/charbroiled meat

Also: PAHs

What it does

100+ chemicals formed during incomplete burning of coal/oil/gas/garbage/tobacco/charbroiled meat

Where you'll see it

grilled/charred meats, smoked foods, foods grown in contaminated soil, soot, coal tar, crude oil, vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, food with PAHs deposited during growing or processing

What the research says

Cause lung, stomach, and skin cancer in laboratory animals. Animal studies showed birth defects from PAH exposure in food. Long-term exposure linked to cancer in humans. Persistent in environment. Target fat tissues, kidneys, liver.

Regulatory status

  • Notes: EPA high-priority chemicals needing reduction. Classified as definite/probable/possible carcinogens by IARC/NTP/EPA

Sources

  • A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): Mice exposed to 308 parts per million (ppm) of PAHs (specifically benzo[a]pyrene) in food for 10 days... caused birth defects