Anthracene

CAS number 120-12-7

Description

Anthracene is one of a group of chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs). PAHs are a group of naturally occurring pollutants. Pyrene is a natural component of coal tar, crude oil, and fossil fuels. PAHs are created when products like coal, oil, gas, and garbage is burned but the burning process is not complete.

Uses

Anthracene is used in several production processes, including for certain dyes, synthetic fibers, and the chemotherapeutic drug Amsacrine. It is also used in wood preservatives, in smoke screens, to detect and measure ionizing radiation, and in research.

Outside of occupational settings (where anthracene is used in industrial processing) the general public may be exposed through cigarette smoke, forest fires, residential wood fires and exhaust from vehicles and fire-works.

The distribution of PAHs in the environment is extensive and the general public may be exposed to PAHs found in soil/dust, air, water, food or household products. Anthracene and other PAHs e.g. pyrene, are formed when a material, such as gasoline or wood, burns incompletely. Anthracene sticks to very small particles that go into the air. People and animals may breathe in the particles that contain pyrene and other PAHs. The particles and PAH eventually settle back onto the ground or into ponds, lakes, or rivers. Anthracene can also be washed into water by rain. Anthracene may settle into sediment or soil. When anthracene is attached to particles in soil or water it can be swallowed by animals, including fish or taken up by plants.

Why it can be problematic for human and animal health

Exposure to anthracene can be through inhalation, ingestion or absorbed through the skin.

The following groups of people are thought to be most vulnerable to the chronic exposure of PAHs:

elderly who have declining organ function
young children with immature and developing organs
people who smoke (and therefore inhale PAHs and thus have higher exposure)
have a history of excessive sun exposure (enhanced skin cancer response if simultaneously exposed to PAHs via skin)
have liver and skin diseases
women of child bearing age.
an unborn foetus as it is recognised that PAHs may cross the placenta.

Anthracene is shown in scientific literature as being associated with the following chronic health impacts:

cataracts
kidney and liver damage aplastic anaemia (effect on the bone cells in bone marrow that produce red blood cells)
skin damage and photosensitisation (sensitisation to sun light)
cancer causing – bladder, gastrointestinal, skin, lung
respiratory conditions, e.g. asthma

Acute exposure of humans to anthracene through airways/skin/mouth/eyes/nose/throat will result in nausea, eye irritation, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and confusion.

Please note any adverse health effects that you may encounter in exposure to a chemical depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.