Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 
Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM) 
Toxicity of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Cover Page

Key Concepts

• Because of combustion of fossil fuels and organic waste, PAHs are ubiquitous in the environment
• Studies show that certain PAH metabolites interact with DNA and are genotoxic, causing malignancies and heritable genetic damage in humans.
• In humans, heavy occupational exposure to mixtures of PAHs entails a substantial risk of lung, skin, or bladder cancer.

About This and Other Case Studies in Environmental Medicine

This educational case study document is one in a series of self-instructional modules designed to increase the primary care provider’s knowledge of hazardous substances in the environment and to promote the adoption of medical practices that aid in the evaluation and care of potentially exposed patients. The complete series of Case Studies in Environmental Medicine is located on the ATSDR Web site at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/. In addition, the downloadable PDF version of this educational series and other environmental medicine materials provides content in an electronic, printable format, especially for those who may lack adequate Internet service.

How to Apply for and Receive Continuing Education Credit

See Internet address: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/conteduc.html for more information about continuing medical education credits, continuing nursing education credits, and other continuing education units.

Acknowledgments

ATSDR Authors: Kim Gehle, MD, MPH

CDC/ATSDR Planners: Charlton Coles, Ph.D.; John Doyle, MPA; Bruce Fowler, PhD.; Kimberly Gehle, MD; Sharon L. Hall, Ph.D.; Michael Hatcher, DrPH; Kimberly Jenkins, BA; Ronald T. Jolly; Barbara M. Riley, RN; Delene Roberts, MSA; Oscar Tarrago, MD, MPH, CHES; Brian Tencza

CDC/ATSDR Commenters: Moiz Mumtaz, Ph.D.; Frank C. Schnell, PhD, DABT

NIOSH commenter: David Trout MD, MPH

External Peer Reviewers: Scott Phillips, MD, FACP, FACMT; Gary R. Krieger, MD, MPH, DABT; Janet Kester, PhD, DABT; Ellen Remenchik, MD, MPH

Disclaimer

CDC and ATSDR, our planners, and our presenters wish to disclose they have no financial interests or other relationships with the manufacturers of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services, or commercial supporters.

Presentations will not include any discussion of the unlabeled use of a product or a product under investigational use.

There was no commercial support received for this activity.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine
Environmental Medicine and Educational Services Branch