Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons biological properties

Weyand EH, Amin S, Sodhi R, et al. 1991c. Effects of methyl substitution on the metabolism and binding of benz[e]acephenanthrylene. In Garriques P, Lamotte M, eds. Polycyclic aromatic compounds. Synthesis, properties, analytical measurements, occurence, and biological effects. Proceedings of the thirteenth international symposium on polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Philadelphia, PA Gordon and Breach. 

Most reported data are based on total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, not benzo(a)pyrene alone, and usually neglect the bulk of accompanying substances, and the soot emitted. The importance of the biological properties of the whole has, until now, been nearly neglected. 

This sharing of a biological activity by chemical compounds of many structural types is somewhat reminiscent of the situation with carcinogens. Agents as different as ionizing radiation, inorganic ions, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and azo dyes have the common property of setting in motion a chain of biochemical events which leads to the development of a tumor. 

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