Question

Which of the following is (are) true?

• A. PAHs generally have a high degree of acute toxicity in humans.
• B. PAHs have been associated with increased incidences of lung, skin, and bladder cancers from occupational exposures.
• C. Specific PAHs can easily be linked to observed health effects in epidemiologic studies.
• D. All of these

Answer 1

The correct option is B PAHs have been associated with increased incidences of lung, skin, and bladder cancers from occupational exposures.

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAs) are a subset of PAHs that have fused aromatic rings, that is, rings that share one or more sides. Studies of people show that individuals exposed by breathing or skin contact for long periods to mixtures that contain PAHs and other compounds can also develop cancer.

The best choice is B. PAHs have been associated with increased incidences of lung, skin, and bladder cancers from occupational exposures. PAHs, however, do not have a high degree of acute toxicity in humans. It also is difficult to ascribe observed health effects in epidemiological studies to specific PAHs because most exposures are to PAH mixtures.