THE 16 EPA PAHs. The list of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1976 (1) with a view to use chemical analysis for assessing risks to human health from drinking water, has gained a tremendous role as a standardized set of compounds to be analyzed, quite especially in ...

Short for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs describe chemicals that are often found together in groups of two or more. PAHs are found naturally in the environment but they can also be man-made. In their purest form, PAHs are solid and range in appearance from colorless to white or pale yellow-green. PAHs are created when products like coal,

Sixteen priority pollutant PAHs were quantified at two depths (0-10cm and 10-20cm) and compared against reference site soils, as well as to soils from industrially-impacted areas in Germany, China, and the US.

Nov 20, 2021 · The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has declared 16 PAHs as priority pollutants in 1983 based on their existence of highest concentrations, greater exposure, recalcitrant nature, and toxicity (Zheng et al., 2018; Mojiri et al., 2019).

Apr 28, 2022 · Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of organic compounds that consist solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms in aromatic ring structures. Sixteen PAHs are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) based on their potential human and ecological health effects.

However, there are hundreds of known PAHs, of which 16 have been designated priority pollutants1 by EPA due to their potential toxicity in humans and other organisms and their prevalence and persistence in the environment . 16 PAHs Designated as Priority Pollutants by EPA: Acenaphthene; Acenaphthylene; Anthracene; Benzo(a)anthracene; Benzo(a)pyrene

Q: Why only 16 PAHs? A: A recent publication was put out earlier this year that discusses this. It is a great read if you get a chance as it applies to the evolution of analytical chemistry from the 1970s to the present. Dr. Keith summarizes why the 16 PAHs were measured. Just for the record, the 16 PAHs were selected in 1976.