PAHs stands for which group of chemicals?

PAHs stands for which group of chemicals?

• A. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons
• B. Polycyclic aromatic compounds
• C. Polyunsaturated hydrocarbon
• D. Polar aromatic hydrocarbons

Answer: (B)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are organic pollutants made up of multiple fused aromatic rings (polycyclic) containing only carbon and hydrogen (hydrocarbons). The aromatic rings give them stability and low reactivity, making them persist in the environment and tend to sorb to sediments and organic matter. They mainly form during incomplete combustion of organic material, such as vehicle exhaust, coal or wood burning, and charred foods. Some PAHs, like benzo[a]pyrene, are of particular concern because they can be carcinogenic. The term is best described as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons rather than any of the other phrasing options, since PAHs are nonpolar hydrocarbons with multiple rings, not compounds in general or polar or unsaturated variants.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are organic pollutants made up of multiple fused aromatic rings (polycyclic) containing only carbon and hydrogen (hydrocarbons). The aromatic rings give them stability and low reactivity, making them persist in the environment and tend to sorb to sediments and organic matter. They mainly form during incomplete combustion of organic material, such as vehicle exhaust, coal or wood burning, and charred foods. Some PAHs, like benzo[a]pyrene, are of particular concern because they can be carcinogenic. The term is best described as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons rather than any of the other phrasing options, since PAHs are nonpolar hydrocarbons with multiple rings, not compounds in general or polar or unsaturated variants.