Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Exposure from emission products and from terrorist attacks on US targets -implications for developmental central nervous system toxicity

The goal of this chapter is to stimulate research activity to develop both novel intervention strategies and therapeutic approaches to mitigate the neurotoxicity associated with prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The chapter also focuses on PAH exposure of vulnerable populations as a result of terrorist attacks on US targets. As a result of combustion of fuel and hazardous materials, PAHs are released in high volumes. Exposure of civilians or deployed personnel to fumes containing PAHs constitutes an acute exposure scenario. Additionally, defense forces involved in extinguishing oil-well fires, and cleanup tasks are exposed to low levels of PAHs over a more protracted time period. In addition, over 1.3 million civilian and military personnel are occupationally exposed to hydrocarbon fuels, particularly gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel, or kerosene on a near daily basis. The toxicity to the nervous system depends on the delivered dose and exposure duration. In the case of pregnant women, pharmacokinetic processes govern PAH disposition within the mother and the nervous system of children.