PAHs are absorbed through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. They are predominantly metabolized to epoxides, which are converted to phenol (hydroxy) and dihydrodiol derivatives. The hydroxylated metabolites of the PAHs are excreted in human urine both as free hydroxylated metabolites and as hydroxylated metabolites conjugated to glucuronic acid or sulfate.

During the years 1999-2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began to measure 22 hydroxylated PAH urinary metabolites as part of the Third National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Since then, CDC have focused on 10 target hydroxylated PAH urinary metabolites, and CIL has produced calibration solutions and spiking solutions that will enable other laboratories to follow their procedures and compare data acquired using the same standards as the CDC. The data gathered in these studies provide epidemiologists with a reference range for PAH exposures and eliminate the source of variability in these complex analyses.

Other PAH metabolites may become available; please inquire.

Related Resource

Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

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Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Types

Isotope Label

Isotopic Enrichment Range

Molecular Weight Range

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