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Benz(a)pyrenes are aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons. In the pictures in school chemistry textbooks they are depicted as a group of benzene rings linked together. The compounds belong to substances of the 1st hazard class, since they are carcinogens and provoke the development of cancer.

Sources of the formation of benz (a) pyrene:

  • industries associated with the combustion process, smoldering urban landfills;

  • car exhausts;

  • tobacco smoke

The substance is also formed during the frying and smoking of products.
To determine the concentration of the substance in the laboratory, an analysis of the air for the presence of this carcinogen is carried out, food products are examined. If indicators of a toxic substance exceed the maximum permissible concentrations, measures are being developed to improve working conditions and reduce atmospheric emissions.

Benzene (a) pyrene accumulates in the human body, so getting it even in small doses is dangerous to health. Under the influence of a carcinogen, cells begin to abnormally divide, causing cancerous tumors. Other manifestations of negative effects on the human body:

  • the development of vascular atherosclerosis;

  • liver damage

  • strokes and heart attacks.


The degree of danger of poisoning by a substance does not depend on how it got into the body. Non-smoking people, adherents of a healthy lifestyle are not excluded from the risk zone, as they can breathe air with exhaust fumes.

The fact of bioaccumulation of benz (a) pyrene is proved. The substance has the ability to integrate into DNA strands, cause gene mutations that can manifest itself after several generations.

There are no methods to cleanse the body of this toxic substance. But you can avoid its harmful effects:

quit smoking;
limit the consumption of smoked and fried foods, canned foods;
be interested in the concentration of the substance in the air of the working area, near the place of residence.