Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Exposure and Its Impact on Increased Carcinogenic Risk and COPD: A Review

Abstract

Context: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of environmental carcinogens that can cause problems for humans. The present narrative review aimed to assess the exposure to PAHs. Evidence Acquisition: Articles were searched in the Scopus, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PubMed databases using keywords such as PAHs, COPD, health endpoint, and carcinogenic. After screening 426 studies, 23 articles were finally selected for this research. Results: Based on the results of this study, the toxicity of PAHs is influenced by their chemical properties, the dosage, and the method of exposure, as well as the age, gender, and nutritional status of the exposed individuals. The PAHs can accumulate in body organs, and increased levels of PAHs in the body cause teratogenic and mutagenic potential, deterioration of lung function, COPD, asthma, allergic skin reactions, bloody diarrhea, heart disease, damage to the liver and kidneys, weight loss, cataracts, and an increased risk of different cancers (skin, digestive, bladder, and lung). Conclusions: According to the results, improving fuel quality, enhancing the combustion process, reducing cigarette smoke, decreasing the consumption of foods containing PAHs, and reducing the consumption of grilled meat can play an important role in mitigating the dangerous health consequences of PAH exposure.