What is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) that can cause cancer?

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are compounds that can be found in many sources such as natural and man-made. This is a compound that not only contributes to environmental pollution but also has significant impacts on health. This compound can cause changes in the human body that lead to a variety of diseases, most notably the risk of cancer.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemical compounds in structure consisting of aromatic rings that do not contain heteroatoms or carry substituents and may have two or more aromatic rings attached to each other to form stable organic compounds.
According to the structure, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are often divided into two groups, including:
Groups with less than or equal to six aromatic rings are called small molecule PAHs. Groups with more than six aromatic rings are called large molecule PAHs Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons usually exist as colorless, or may be white or pale yellow. Exists in solid form at room temperature, has a fragrant aroma, but each type has a different odor. They are sparingly or insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. This is a compound that can participate in many chemical reactions such as substitution reactions, oxidation reactions, etc. When present in the environment, this substance can form many oxidation products, and it can also act. with ozone and hydroxyl radicals in the air.
Some types of PAHs themselves can cause direct harm to the body or the oxidation products of PAHs are highly toxic to the body.

Sources of PHA can be known as:
Natural sources: This substance is mainly found in nature such as tar or through the process of transforming into types such as coal, oil, through sedimentation processes. volcanic eruptions. In addition, PAHs can arise from incomplete combustion of organic matter in a series of natural forest fires. Man-made sources: Due to the daily burning process such as straw, straw, firewood, coal, smoking...; industrial processes and extraction and use of fossil fuels; agricultural production process due to residues of plant protection substances, volatile plant protection substances are the source of PHA substances; smoke from vehicles participating in traffic, dust from constructions... In foods also contain a certain amount of PHA depending on type and area. In places with high levels of pollution, food and crops are at high risk of being contaminated. The more areas with industrial zones and roads with more traffic, the greater the possibility of infection compared to rural areas.
Foods can be immediately contaminated by waste from the environment, sticking right on the surface of vegetables. Or some foods that are dried directly on the asphalt are also directly contaminated, grilled meats, smoked meats also contain a lot of PHAs.

When polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons enter the body they are metabolized and PAHs can react with certain enzymes such as aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylases to form dihydrodiol PAHs derivatives. This derivative can form covalent bonds with proteins and nucleic acids, thereby causing genetic mutations and causing cancer.
PAHs have the ability to enter the body through many different ways such as through the digestive tract, skin or respiratory tract. The toxicity of this substance also depends on many factors such as the number of aromatic rings in the structure, the sugar entering the body, the amount taken into the body...
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) , some types of PAHs can cause cancer in humans and animals. As naphthalene is classified as a group B carcinogen, it affects a variety of organs such as the lungs, kidneys and inhibits the respiratory process. In Europe and China, since 2008, mothballs and products containing naphthalene have been banned. In addition, other PAHs such as acenaphthylene, fluoranthene, Phenanthrene, and Fluorene are all potentially toxic to humans.
In foods such as grilled meats, roasts due to modified high-temperature fats, oils, flours, toast, grains and vegetables contaminated with PAHs from the environment...contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. When we eat regularly, the body will accumulate a large amount. This increases the risk of cancer or other diseases.
Grilled meat or spicy foods are very attractive to us. But consuming in large amounts means adding more PHA into the body, which in turn increases the risk of cancer and many other serious diseases.