How are PAHs metabolized?
In general, PAHs are metabolized by CYPs and other metabolic enzymes into phenols, catechols, and quinones, resulting in the formation of diol-epoxides, radical cations, or reactive and redox-active o-quinones, which may all react with DNA to produce DNA adducts.
What is PAH in fish?
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants which have caused worldwide concerns as toxic pollutant. Estimated intakes of PAHs by fish consumption for the general population were ranged between 1.77 and 10.70 ng/kg body weight/day.
What are the main routes of entry of PAHs in oysters?
PAHs can enter the food chain by deposition from air, or by deposition and transfer from soil and water (Harvey 1997. (1997).
What are PAH metabolites?
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent an important class of environmental pollutants. They are present in fossil fuels and are formed upon incomplete combustion and pyrolysis of organic matter. The various PAH metabolites may be excreted from the organism either as free or as conjugated compounds.
What foods contain PAH?
The following foods could contain PAHs:
- bivalve shellfish accumulate PAHs from seawater and sediment Limits are therefore applied to ensure that excessively-contaminated mussels or oysters do not enter the food chain.
- smoked products.
- certain cooked meat products such as flame-grilled burgers.
What are PAH chemicals?
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil, and gasoline. They also are produced when coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, and tobacco are burned. PAHs generated from these sources can bind to or form small particles in the air.
How do hydrocarbons affect fish?
There is substantial evidence that PAHs can cause reproductive impairment in a variety of organisms, including fish, through their ability to disrupt endocrine function, and their cytotoxic and mutagenic effects on germ cells (Tuvikene, 1995, Nicolas, 1999, Logan, 2007, Meador, 2008).
Do PAHs bioaccumulate in humans?
Food-chain bioaccumulation of PAHs is significant for organisms at lower levels (i.e., crustaceans, mollusks, and fishes), but not for high trophic level consumers, such as humans, probably due to higher capacity of metabolism.
Where are PAH found?
How is PAH formed in food?
PAHs are also formed as a result of some domestic food preparation methods. When food, particularly meat and fish, are cooked over an open flame, PAHs are formed. If the grilled food is in direct contact with the flame, pyrolysis of the drippings from meat or fish generates PAHs that can be deposited on its surface.
What is PAH in food?
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of contaminants produced by burning of carbon-based materials. Some PAHs are known to cause cancer because they can damage DNA. It is therefore important that levels present in food are as low as reasonably achievable.
How can PAHs affect your health?
Long-term health effects of exposure to PAHs may include cataracts, kidney and liver damage, and jaundice. Studies of workers exposed to mixtures of PAHs and other compounds have noted an increased risk of skin, lung, bladder, and gastrointestinal cancers.