[Is benzo(a)pyrene an indicator of carcinogenic pollution?]

High-pressure liquid chromatography was used in the measurement of level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in 60 environmental specimens (water, bottom sediments and soil in fresh- and sea-water basins, solid wastes of fuel combustion). Concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene considered to be an indicator of carcinogenic PAH, varied significantly: 0.05-13.0% of the total hydrocarbon level and 0.8-100.0% of carcinogenic PAH in water; 2.7-8.1 and 4.0-36.8 in bottom sediments, and 0.4-6.0 and 9.9-45.1 in solid wastes of fuel combustion, respectively. Since PAH, other than benzo(a)pyrene, e. g. benzofluoranthenes and dibenzopyrenes, sometimes predominated, it is suggested that benzo(a)pyrene cannot be used as indicator of environmental pollution, unless a full-scale test for other PAH is completed. Benzo(a)pyrene level may be used for monitoring carcinogenic pollution after relevant hygienic and cancer control tests are carried out.