National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogen [378 KB PDF, 8 pages] (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: 15 listings)

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 1 [764 KB PDF, 38 pages] (carcinogenic to humans) 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Probable human carcinogen - based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals

EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): Not established

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Inhalation Minimal Risk Level (MRL): Not established

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) concentration: Not listed

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects and Hazards

1. Occupational exposure to benzo(a)pyrene may increase the risk of pancreatic, stomach, and laryngeal cancer (IARC 2005; Spinelli et al. 2006; Gibbs and Sevigny 2007; Friesen et al. 2007; Li et al. 2007)
2. Occupational exposure to benzo(a)pyrene may increase the risk of ischemic heart disease (Burstyn et al. 2005)
3. Occupational exposure to benzo(a)pyrene may reduce neurobehavioral function (Niu et al. 2010).

Date Last Revised: 9/6/2012

Literature Basis

• ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Benzo[a]pyrene. 2001.
• Burstyn I, Kromhout H, Partanen T, Svane O, Langård S, Ahrens W, Kauppinen T, Stücker I, Shaham J, Heederik D, Ferro G, Heikkilä P, Hooiveld M, Johansen C, Randem BG, Boffetta P.: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fatal ischemic heart disease. Epidemiology 16(6):744-50, November 2005.
• IARC: Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans. Some Non-heterocyclic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Some Related Industrial Exposures [6 MB PDF, 868 pages], v 92. 2005.
• Friesen MC, Demers PA, Spinelli JJ, Lorenzi MF, Le ND: Comparison of two indices of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a retrospective aluminium smelter cohort. Occup Environ Med. 64(4):273-8, April 2007.
• Gibbs GW and Sevigny M: Mortality and cancer experience of Quebec aluminum reduction plant workers, part 4: cancer incidence. J Occup Environ Med. 49(12):1351-66, December 2007.
• Li D, Day RS, Bondy ML, Sinha R, Nguyen NT, Evans DB, Abbruzzese JL, Hassan MM: Dietary mutagen exposure and risk of pancreatic cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 16(4):655-61, April 2007.
• NIOSH/IPCS: International Chemical Safety Cards: Benzo(a)pyrene. October 17, 2005.
• Niu Q, Zhang H, Li X, Li M. Benzo[a]pyrene-induced neurobehavioral function and neurotransmitter alterations in coke oven workers. Occup Environ Med. 67(7):444-8, July 2010.
• Spinelli JJ, Demers PA, Le ND, Friesen MD, Lorenzi MF, Fang R, Gallagher RP. Cancer risk in aluminum reduction plant workers (Canada). Cancer Causes Control. 17(7):939-48, September 2006.

• sampling media: Pre-cleaned Glass Fiber Filter (37 mm)
  analytical solvent: Benzene
  maximum volume: 960 Liters
  maximum flow rate: 2.0 L/min
  current analytical method: High Performance Liquid Chromatography; HPLC/UV/FLU
  method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 58)
  method classification: Fully Validated (In conjunction with Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles and Coke Oven Emissions.)
  note: OSHA personnel can obtain pre-cleaned filters, vials, and Teflon-lined caps from SLTC. After sampling, filter must be transferred to a vial with a Teflon-lined cap. Sample must be protected from direct sunlight.
  note: Benzo[a]pyrene is a polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon that OSHA has identified as one of a number of typical components of the benzene-soluble fraction of coal tar pitch volatiles. Other components include anthracene, phenanthrene, acridine, and pyrene. There is no specific OSHA PEL for Benzo[a]pyrene. Benzo[a]pyrene is characteristic of cold tar pitch volatiles (PEL is 0.2 mg/m³) and/or coke oven emissions (PEL is 0.15 mg/m³).

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