Mutagenic and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in food – occurrence, human health effects, and assessment methods of exposure

Abstract

Introduction. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed during incomplete combustion of organic materials. They are ubiquitous in the environment; therefore, we are in constant contact with them. Aim. The purpose of this article is to compare different, often consumed, types of food due to their PAHs content, as well as to discuss the impact of these compounds on the human body, taking into account the methods for assessing human exposure to PAHs. State of the knowledge. It is indicated that processing procedures and cooking methods are the main factors of PAHs contamination of food. PAHs can get into food, especially during grilling and frying. The International Agency for Research, on Cancer (IARC) has classified many of these compounds as probably carcinogenic or possibly carcinogenic and one of them, benzo[a]pyrene, as carcinogenic to humans. In recent years, a lot of work has gone how to precisely and accurately quantify the PAHs that are present in food. Biological monitoring is widely used to assess the possible health risk. The effects of short-term human exposure are as well not yet clear. There are studies proving that chronic exposure to PAHs have a mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic effects on the human body. Summary. PAHs are commonly found in food. Heat treatment affects the content of PAHs in food. PAHs negatively affect human health. Knowledge about biological activity of PAHs is important for a healthy society as well as the development of methods to assess exposure to PAHs.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Grilled Marshmallows

“…The presence of PAHs in other elements of the environment and in food increases the exposure to BaP and other carcinogenic PAHs [46]. According to the EFSA, carcinogenic BaP is not the only marker for the presence of PAHs in food [22]. However, Table 5 shows that the concentration of BaP in grilled marshmallows was the highest and in many cases exceeded the value for children (1 µg/kg).…”

“…In their studies, Zelinkova and Wenz [18] and Bulanda and Janoszka [6] presented detailed information on the analysis methods of PAHs and their occurrence in food and regulatory and risk management aspects. The characteristics of various types of food according to the PAH content and the discussion about the impact of these compounds on the human body, taking into account the methods for assessing human exposure to PAHs were reported by Maciejczyk et al [22].…”

“…Many analytical techniques have been performed to detect and measure PAHs in different food products. PAH concentrations are most often identified and quantified using gas chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry or flame ionization detector (GC-MS/FID) and high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with ultraviolet or fluorescence detectors (HPLC-UV/FLD) or coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) or MS/MS [6,12,22]. Fluorescence detection is the most widely used technique for PAH detection after their separation by liquid chromatography (LC).…”

Impact of Atmospheric Conditions and Source Identification of Gaseous Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) during a Smoke Haze Period in Upper Southeast Asia

“…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic molecules containing only carbon, which have hydrogen atoms and two or more fused aromatic rings in a variety of structural configurations [ 1 ]. They are an important indicator of air pollution in ambient air since they are the most widely dispersed class of human carcinogens with mutagenic characteristics [ 2 , 3 ]. Furthermore, at low concentrations, they are responsive to humans and might combine synergistically with other air pollutants to cause serious health problems.…”

“…Furthermore, because Chiang Mai is one of the most developed areas in Thailand, it has experienced rapid urbanization over the last 20 years, resulting in a significant impact on the environment, particularly on the region's air quality. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine (1) the concentration of gaseous PAHs in northern Thailand (2), the role of meteorological conditions affecting the variability of gaseous PAH congeners, and (3) the potential sources of gaseous PAHs in this area. The results from this study will fill a data gap, and this is crucially important for a better understanding of the changes in gaseous PAH composition and distribution in upper Southeast Asia (U-SEA) and the potential of gaseous pollutants in this area.…”