Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, many of which have been identified as potent human carcinogens, occur widely in the environment as a result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and other organic matter. Major sources of emissions are wood and coal burning, automobiles, heat and power plants, and refuse burning. This volume reviews the chemistry of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their active metabolites, providing up-to-date information on their chemical and physical properties, methods of synthesis, environmental occurrence, and chemical reactions. It also surveys their biological properties, metabolism and metabolic activation, and current concepts concerning their mechanisms of carcinogenesis. The emphasis throughout is on recent findings and newer methods and techniques. This book provides a comprehensive overview of this currently active field of research, bringing together in a single volume a large amount of information previously scattered throughout the scientific literature. It may be read with profit by anyone with an interest in the chemistry and metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, environmental chemistry and chemical carcinogenesis.