Dibenzo[a,h]Pyrene

Incomplete combustion—vehicle and diesel exhaust, industrial processes, residential wood/coal burning, wildfires, tobacco smoke, coal tar/asphalt, and charred or smoked foods [1][2][4].

Breathing smoky or traffic‑polluted air (outdoors and indoors), secondhand smoke, eating charred/smoked foods, and skin contact with soot, contaminated soil, or coal‑tar sealcoat dust [1][2][4].

PAH mixtures are linked to cancer; dibenzo[a,h]pyrene is strongly DNA‑damaging and carcinogenic in animals. PAH exposure may also affect reproduction and development [1][3].

People who smoke or breathe secondhand smoke; those near heavy traffic, wildfires, or solid‑fuel stoves; certain workers (asphalt/roofing, foundry/coke ovens, firefighters); pregnant people and children [1][2].

Don’t smoke; avoid smoke and idling traffic; use ventilation and cook to avoid charring; trim burnt parts; use HEPA/filters during smoke events; reduce coal‑tar sealcoat dust; wash hands after soot/soil contact [1][2][4][5].