PAH-gold+class+'09

=**__PAH- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon__**= By: Perry W. and Karen B.

-Human Health and Implications -Enviromental Implications - Position
 * __Table of Contents__**
 * Background**
 * Abstracts**
 * Synthesis/Production Section**

Background:

PAH- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon


 * Are chemical compounds that consist of fused aromatic rings and do not contain heteroatoms or carry substituents.


 * PAHs occur in oil, coal, and tar deposits.


 * and are produced as byproducts of fuel burning (whether fossil fuel or biomass).


 * As a pollutant, they are of concern because some compounds have been identified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic. PAHs are also found in cooked foods, such as grilled meats.


 * This chemical is used in cooking food, it is also found in the interstellar medium, in comets, and in meteorites and are a candidate molecule to act as a basis for the earliest forms of life.


 * This chemical is also known for being used in tobacco.


 * Europe have the least amount of PAHs, as they are slowly changing their power sources away from fossil fuels and using more nuclear, solar, and wind power.


 * China and India probably have the most.

//**Abstract**// Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemical compounds that consist of fused aromatic rings and do not contain heteroatoms or carry substituents. PAHs occur in oil, coal, and tar deposits, and are produced as byproducts of fuel burning (whether fossil fuel or biomass). As a pollutant, they are of concern because some compounds have been identified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic. France and the rest of Europe have the least amount of PAHs, while China and India probably have the most as they are now using a lot more fossil fuels than other countries.

The human body can be affected by this chemical in many ways. Some of way they can be exposed breathing, drinking/eating and touching. It can also cause different types of cancer. Due to the particles and dirt that are found on animals and couches PAH has caused lung and skin cancer in places such as animal labritories. Pah is a chemical that can be found in things such as coal-tar pitch, creosote, and asphalt(which are fossil fuels). It also can exist in some natural fuels such as coal, crude oil, and gasoline. PAH can be formed through the burning of trash, fuels, and many other organic substances. More PAH are given off when the burning of the substance is less efficient than it should be. PAH can also be found in the air, soil, and water. It can stay in that area for months before degrading.

Even PAH is found naturally in the world, people can reduce the usage of products that make it. PAH has effect on the world and our health. If was use more energy efficient ways we can reduce how much PAH we make. Like if we use more energy efficient cars, recycle instead of burning trash etc. Wee could very much reduce it.

The chemical PAH has many costs, but not a large amount of benefits. This chemical has been known for being created through the burning of tar, and in most fossil fuels. It is also found in the smoke in cigarretts. It can cause cancer and also bring death to people through second hand smoke.

//**Human Health Implications**//

The human body can be affected by this chemical in many ways. This chemical is found in smoke from cigarretes and tar. Here are some of way they can be exposed: Breathing: Most people are exposed to PAHs when they breathe smoke, auto emissions or industrial exhausts. Most exhausts contain many different PAH compounds. People with the highest exposures are smokers, people who live or work with smokers, roofers, road builders and people who live near major highways or industrial sources.

Drinking/Eating: Charcoal-broiled foods, especially meats, are a source of some PAH exposure. Shellfish living in contaminated water may be another major source of exposure. PAHs may be in groundwater near disposal sites where construction wastes or ash are buried; people may be exposed by drinking this water. Vegetables do not take up significant amounts of PAHs that are in soil.

Touching: PAH can be absorbed through skin. Exposure can come from handling contaminated soil or bathing in contaminated water. Low levels of these chemicals may be absorbed when a person uses medicated skin cream or shampoo containing PAHs.

Although information on the effects of large amounts of PAH have not been found yet it has been confirmed that PAH that is connected to dust or ash can cause lung irritation. It can also cause redness, blisters, and peeling if it touches the skin.

It can also cause different types of cancer. Due to the particles and dirt that are found on animals and couches PAH has caused lung and skin cancer in places such as animal labritories.

Processes such as baby birth can be affected. It can cause reproductive problems, and also unborn baby development can be afftected as well.

Mainly the lungs, reproductive system, liver, skin, kidneys and organ systems can take on damage through PAH. (Information from, [] )

Environmental implications -What specific environmental systems/processes does your chemical interact with? -How does the chemical interacts with the environment? -What happens when this chemical degrades? What byproducts are formed? -How long does it take to degrade? -How is it disposed of? -Include at least 3 balanced chemical reactions.

//**Environmental implications**// Pah is a chemical that can be found in things such as coal-tar pitch, creosote, and asphalt(which are fossil fuels). It also can exist in some natural fuels such as coal, crude oil, and gasoline. PAH can be formed through the burning of trash, fuels, and many other organic substances. More PAH are given off when the burning of the substance is less efficient than it should be. PAH can also be found in the air, soil, and water. It can stay in that area for months before degrading. Some of the most common PAH are… Acenaphthene Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene Anthracene Fluoranthene Benzo(a)anthracene Fluorene Benzo(a)pyrene Indo(1,2,3-cd)pyrene Benzo(b)fluorantheneNaphthalene Benzo(k)fluoranthenePhenanthrene Chrysene Pyrene

Exposure to PAH chemicals can be decreased by doing specific things such as for people to stop smoking and to stop using wood burning oven. Here are some other options: Through the ozone layer PAH can become carbon dioxide and water, but to a extent.
 * decreasing consumption of smoked and charbroiled foods;
 * decreasing the use of coal-tar-based cosmetics and shampoos;
 * substituting cedar shavings or aromatic herbs for mothballs, moth flakes, and deodorant cakes;
 * avoiding skin contact by wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and gloves, if you are handling creosote-treated wood products;
 * avoiding exposure to dust and fumes by wearing an appropriate respirator when working with products containing PAHs.

Chemical Reactions: C+ + PAH0→ C + PAH C+ + PAH−→ C + PAH0

//**Synthesis**//


 * PAHs are products of incomplete combustion. Inefficient combustion of solid and liquid fuels such as coal, wood, kerosene and fuel oil can lead to PAH formation.
 * Where PAH is found:

Mobile Sources: Diesel and gasoline engines Workplace Environments: Service stations, coke ovens and tar plants Combustion Burners: Heaters, boilers and furnaces Industrial Incinerators : Municipal, hazardous and hospital wastes Domestic Activities: Cigarette smoke, wood and kerosene stoves, oil burners, barbecues Industrial processes: Petroleum catalytic cracking, iron and steel foundries, aluminum production and carbon black manufacture