Where It Comes From
Incomplete combustion (vehicle exhaust, wood/coal smoke, wildfires), tobacco smoke, and charred or smoked foods; also handled in research labs [1][2].
How You Are Exposed
Breathing smoke or exhaust, eating heavily charred foods, or getting soot/contaminated soil on your skin; lab exposures can occur if handling DMBA [1][2].
Why It Matters
PAH mixtures are linked to cancer in people, and DMBA causes DNA damage and tumors in animals; reducing exposure lowers long-term risk [1][2]. Short-term contact may irritate skin and eyes [1].
Who Is at Risk
People who smoke or breathe secondhand smoke; those near heavy traffic, certain industries, or wildfires; firefighters, asphalt/foundry workers, grill cooks; lab staff working with DMBA [1][2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke; use ventilation and avoid charring food; limit time in heavy smoke/exhaust; wash off soot and dust; follow lab/occupational PPE and hygiene [1].
References
- [1]ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 2020.
- [2]IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Polynuclear aromatic compounds, Part 1: Chemical, environmental and experimental data. Vol. 32, International Agency for Research on Cancer.