Atmospheric chemistry of gas-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: formation of atmospheric mutagens.
The atmospheric chemistry of the 2- to 4-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which exist mainly in the gas phase in the atmosphere, is discussed. The dominant loss process for the gas-phase PAH is by reaction with the hydroxyl radical, resulting in calculated lifetimes in the atmosphere of generally less than one day. The hydroxyl (OH) radical-initiated reactions and nitrate (NO3) radical-initiated reactions often lead to the formation of mutagenic nitro-PAH and other nitropolycyclic aromatic compounds, including nitrodibenzopyranones. These atmospheric reactions have a significant effect on ambient mutagenic activity, indicating that health risk assessments of combustion emissions should include atmospheric transformation products.
Atkinson
R
R
Statewide Air Pollution Research Center, University of California, Riverside 92521.
Arey
J
J
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity*; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D009153:Mutagens; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds