Benzo Pyrene Research Paper

There are several hundred PAHs, which usually occur as complex mixtures rather than as individual compounds. Benzo (a) pyrene is the most widely studied, being one of the most potent, hence most of the data in this document refers to B(a)P, although it seldom occurs in the environment on its own. For the general public, the main route of exposure to PAHs is from inhalation of ambient and indoor air or ingestion of food. Inhalation and skin absorption are the main routes of occupational exposure. Benzo(a)pyrene is readily absorbed following inhalation, ingestion and skin exposure. Following inhalation and ingestion, B(a)P is rapidly distributed to several tissues in rats, including the kidney, small intestine, trachea, stomach, testes, liver and oesophagus.
Following metabolism the metabolites are excreted in the urine and faeces. No data on the acute effects of B(a)P in humans were identified and few studies were reported in animals. Following acute exposure of rats to B(a)P, effects on the liver were observed. Following chronic exposure in an occupational setting a decrease in lung function was reported, as well as chest pain, respiratory irritation, cough, dermatitis and depressed immune system, although in most cases it was not possible to evaluate the contribution of B(a)P to such effects. In animals, few adverse effects were observed in rats or hamsters exposed to B(a)P via inhalation. Following ingestion, myelotoxicity was observed in poor affinity Ah-receptor mice but not in high affinity mice. Hepatotoxicity was also reported. Benzo(a)pyrene can cross the placenta and was found to cause adverse developmental and reproductive effects in