If organic compounds are burned incomplete, new compounds with organic and toxic properties are produced. These compounds are called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The most dangerous properties of these compounds are that they enter the human body with water, air, food and cigarette smoke and cause mutations in human DNA.

According to the results of measurements and analysis, the number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds is more than one hundred. However, among these, 16 PAH compound, which causes cancer and poisoning in humans, has been identified and accepted among the pollutants.

Today, cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases and it is a known fact that environmental factors have an impact on the formation of cancer. People are constantly forced to breathe dirty air or consume contaminated water or food. Industrial wastes, pesticides, cigarette smoke and gases from the chimneys of industrial plants pollute the environment continuously. The chemicals, pesticides, metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contained in them are harmful to human health and the environment. All substances, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, need to be kept under control as they have poisoning and cancer effects even in very small amounts. The highest acceptable amounts of these substances in soil, air, water and food have been determined by national and international organizations.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are formed naturally by forest fires or volcanic eruptions, or by man-made industrial plants, motor vehicles and cigarettes. Garbage incineration plants, cement factories, oil refineries, asphalt production, iron and steel production, such as the result of incomplete combustion of organic compounds. Their solubility in water decreases as their molecular weight increases, but their harmful effects increase.

 

The laboratories also perform PAH measurements within the scope of soil and sewage sludge measurements. EPA 8270 and EPA 3540C methods are used in these measurements.