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Nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) in the environment - A review

Benjamin A Musa Bandowe¹, Hannah Meusel²

¹Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 12, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Falkenplatz 16, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.

The Science of the Total Environment

|January 11, 2017

Summary

Nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) are toxic environmental pollutants. This review synthesizes current knowledge on nitro-PAHs, highlighting data gaps and research needs for better regulation.

Area of Science:

Environmental Chemistry
Toxicology
Environmental Science

Background:

Nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) are derivatives of PAHs with significant toxicological concerns, including carcinogenicity.
Nitro-PAHs are released from combustion processes and atmospheric transformation of PAHs.
Limited knowledge exists on nitro-PAH occurrence, transport, and fate in various environmental compartments beyond air.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature on nitro-PAHs.
To identify data gaps and propose future research directions for nitro-PAHs.
To inform the development of regulations concerning nitro-PAHs.

Main Methods:

Extensive literature review of published studies on nitro-PAHs.
Synthesis of information on sources, formation, properties, and environmental behavior.
Analysis of toxicological data and health effects.

Main Results:

Nitro-PAHs exhibit higher toxicity than parent PAHs, with some classified as probable human carcinogens.
Their environmental concentrations are not easily predicted from PAH levels due to distinct sources and transformation pathways.
Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding nitro-PAHs in soil, aquatic environments, and biota, as well as their inter-compartmental exchange.

Conclusions:

Specific research on nitro-PAHs is crucial due to their unique properties and potential risks.
Further investigation into their environmental fate, transport, and toxicological effects is needed.
The review aims to stimulate discussion and provide a foundation for future research and regulatory actions on nitro-PAHs.

Keywords:

Analytical methods Combustion emissions Concentrations, fate and transport Photochemical formation Regulations Toxicological effects

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