This volume reviews the potential carcinogenicity of 60 polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons and several occupational exposures involving
coal-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These are formed during
the incomplete combustion of organic material. Environmental sources of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons include industrial air pollution, urban
air pollution, tobacco smoke, and diet (which is commonly the main
source of exposure in nonsmokers who are not exposed to such
hydrocarbons through their occupations). High occupational exposure can
arise during the conversion of coal to coke and coal tar, and during the
processing and use of products derived from coal tar. In this volume,
benzo[a]pyrene, other PAHs and related occupational exposures were
evaluated by an IARC Monographs Working Group, reviewing epidemiological
evidence, animal bioassays, and mechanistic and other relevant data to
reach conclusions as to their carcinogenic hazard to humans.