Other names
PAHs
CAS Number
various
Properties
- group of chemically similar substances, all of which consist of a number of aromatic rings (benzene rings)
- PAH group: list of the 16 priority PAHs defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency
- crystalline solids
- colour and odour vary according to substance
Main sources
- combustion of coal, mineral oil, wood
- tobacco smoke
- washed out from tar (frequently used to pave roads and cover roofs until the 1970s)
- only a few substances are used for industrial purposes
Thresholds for the reporting requirement of facilities in accordance with Annex 2 PRTRO
(Ordinance on the Register relating to Pollutant Release and the Transfer of Waste and of Pollutants in Waste Water)
- Air 50 kg/year
- Water 5 kg/year
- Soil 5 kg/year
Impacts
- vary according to substance
- Benzo(a)pyrene: carcinogenic
- other PAHs: suspected carcinogenic effect
