5-Methylchrysene

Incomplete combustion from vehicle exhaust, coal/oil/gas/wood burning, industrial processes (e.g., coke ovens), tobacco smoke, and charred or smoked foods [1][2][3].

Breathing smoky or traffic-polluted air, indoor woodstoves or candles, secondhand smoke, eating heavily charred meats, skin contact with soot, used motor oil, creosote, or contaminated soil/dust near roads or industry [2][3].

Causes cancer in animals and can damage DNA; PAH mixtures are linked to cancers of the lung, skin, and bladder. Classified as a possible human carcinogen [1][2].

Smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke; workers in coke ovens, aluminum production, asphalt/roofing, firefighting; people near heavy traffic or who burn solid fuels indoors; pregnant people and young children may be more vulnerable [1][2].

Don’t smoke; ventilate cooking and avoid charring food; maintain woodstoves; limit time in smoke/exhaust; wash off soot and change work clothes; wet-clean dust; follow workplace protections and local air advisories [2][3].