1-Methylphenanthrene

Formed when oil, coal, wood, or trash burn; present in diesel and other vehicle exhaust, wildfires, tobacco smoke, coal tar/creosote, asphalt, some driveway sealants, and crude oil/spills [1][3].

Breathing particle-bound PAHs in outdoor or indoor air (traffic, wood stoves); skin contact with soot, contaminated soil, or coal-tar products; eating charred or smoked foods [1][3].

PAH mixtures can irritate eyes/skin and affect breathing; long-term exposure to some PAHs increases cancer risk. Alkylated (methyl) PAHs can be more bioactive than their parent compounds [1][2].

People near heavy traffic or industry; workers in paving/roofing/asphalt, coke or steel production, or firefighting; users of coal-tar sealants; smokers and their households [1][2].

Avoid smoke and idling exhaust; use clean, vented heating/cooking; limit charred/smoked foods; wash hands after contact with soot/soil; wet-wipe dust and use a HEPA vacuum; choose coal-tar–free sealants; follow workplace PPE and hygiene [1][3].