Perylene

Incomplete combustion (vehicle exhaust, wood/coal burning, tobacco smoke), wildfires; present in coal tar/creosote and asphalt; accumulates in soil and sediments [1][3].

Breathing polluted outdoor air or indoor smoke; skin contact with soot, coal‑tar sealants, or asphalt; eating charred/smoked foods; swallowing contaminated dust/soil; drinking polluted water [1][3].

PAH mixtures can irritate skin/eyes and, at higher exposures, affect lungs and liver; several PAHs cause cancer. For perylene specifically, human data are limited and IARC classifies it as not classifiable for carcinogenicity (Group 3) [1][2].

Workers handling coal tar, creosote, or asphalt; people living near heavy traffic or wood‑burning; smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke; pregnant people and young children [1].

Avoid smoke and idling exhaust; ventilate when cooking and avoid charring meat; choose sealants without coal tar; wash hands, wet‑wipe/mop dust, and remove shoes; use PPE and good hygiene at work [1][3].