Public Health Services A Shared Service of Cape Breton District Health Authority (CBDHA) & Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority (GASHA)

Brochure

Learning Objectives  Define and identify sources of PAHs  Discuss Health Effects of PAHs  Review actions for reducing exposure to PAHs

Description  Can be colorless, white or pale yellow/green solids  Chemicals that occur naturally and as a result of human activities  Examples include Benzo(a)pyrene and Benzo(b) fluoranthene  PAHs are formed when materials that contain carbon and hydrogen do not completely burn

Sources of PAHs Formed during incomplete burning of :  Coal  Oil  Gas  Garbage  Tobacco

Sources of PAHs Released from :  Volcanoes  Forest Fires  Exhaust

Sources of PAHs Found in:  Coal and roofing tar  Crude oil / Creosote  Some dyes  Plastics  Pesticides  BBQ or smoked meat and fish

How Are We Exposed?  Inhalation of air releases  Contact with contaminated soil  Ingestion of contaminated water or cow’s milk

How Are We Exposed? Contaminated Foods  Charred or smoked meat and fish  Cereals  Flour  Vegetables  Fruits  Marine life in contaminated waters  Exposed indoors mostly through second hand smoke

PAHs and Your Health Some PAHs have been shown to be cancer causing:  Chronic Bronchitis  Skin Problems  Allergies

PAHs and Your Health Fetus is at greater risk and susceptibility :  Growth retardation  Low birth weight  Small head circumference  Low IQ  Damage DNA  Disrupt endocrine systems, such as estrogen, thyroid, and steroids

Tests to Determine Exposure Tests are available for some PAHs or their byproducts, but only at special facilities with required equipment  Urine  Blood  Body tissue Can indicate expose but not whether health effects will develop

Protect Yourself: Protect Your Family  Ensure proper enclosure, ventilation and protective equipment  Wash immediately after exposure and before going home  Change clothes at work, launder separately  Avoid second hand smoke  Use a properly installed woodstove  Avoid smoked foods  If you barbeque – remove charred parts  Obey “No Fishing” advisories  Don’t smoke

Resources  ATSDR  Health Canada

In Review  What are PAHs and how we are exposed to them  How do PAHs effect our Health  How can we reduce our exposure to PAHs