Environmental Effects of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PASHs) are a class of unique compound that consist of fused   conjugated aromatic rings and do not contain heteroatoms or substituents carrier. These compounds can be point source (e g, oil spill) or non-point source ( e.g; atmosphere deposition) and are one of the most widespread organic pollutants. Some of them are known or suspected carcinogens and are linked to other health problems. They are primarily formed by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as words, coal; diesel; fat, tobacco or incense etc. PAHs exert  there toxicity following biotransformation to toxic metabolites, which can be bound covalently to cellular macromolecules such as protein, DNA and RNA, which causes cell damage, mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. However, during biological and chemical degradation of  PAHs other toxic compound may be formed. If these transformation products are sufficiently persistent they could potentially accumulate during remedial processes. This will provide the background information and rationale for the derivation of distribution behaviour, environment contaminations, sources, types, the effect of PAHs on the environment and the recommendations.

Keywords : Environment, deoxyribonucleic acid, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ribonucleic acids and toxicity.