Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: From External to Internal Environments

Ambient airborne particulate matter has associated with it thousands of organic compounds (Graedel et al.,1986). These compounds are derived from primary emissions, secondary reactions from gas-phase components to yield particulate-bound species, and reactions on the particulates themselves. In attempting to assess the health impacts of particulate-bound organic matter, one might consider acute or chronic human illness as end points. Our studies have largely focused upon carcinogenic substances thought to be associated with the chronic disease cancer.