Fluoranthene

CAS number 206-44-0

Description

Fluoranthene appears as light-yellow fine crystals. It 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

Fluoranthene occurs in coal tar and petroleum-derived asphalt; Used to make drugs and fluorescent dyes – there is no commercial production of this compound; Fluoranthene is released naturally during the burning of fossil fuels and wood. Fluoranthene is an ingredient in dyes, pharmaceuticals, and insulating oils. Fluoranthene can be routinely found in foods, including grilled hamburgers, fruits, vegetables, grains, butter, oils, fats, and seafood. Fluoranthene can be found in car exhaust and cigarette smoke.

Why it can be problematic for human and animal health

People are exposed to fluoranthene because it is often found in air, water, food, and soil. When fluoranthene enters the environment, it can remain in the soil, water, or air. Eventually, PAHs are broken down into less harmful molecules by the action of microbes, chemical interactions, or sunlight.

  • PAHs generally have a low degree of acute toxicity to humans.
  • The most significant endpoint of PAH toxicity is cancer.
  • Increased incidences of lung, skin, and bladder cancers are associated with occupational exposure to PAHs. Data for other sites is much less persuasive.
  • It is difficult to ascribe observed health effects in epidemiological studies to specific PAHs because most exposures are to PAH mixtures.
  • Animal studies show that certain PAHs affect the hematopoietic, immune, reproductive, and neurologic systems and cause developmental effects.

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

  • Longer-term animal studies show that fluoranthene can cause nephropathy (kidney disease), increased liver weight, and increases in liver enzymes
  • Fluoranthene is toxic to aquatic organisms.
  • Probably carcinogen – lung, bladder and gastrointestinal
  • Dermatological impacts

Acute exposure of humans to Fluoranthene by inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact are unknown.

Continued research regarding the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects from chronic exposure to PAHs and metabolites is needed. 

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.

For more detailed information, including on exposure levels in different contexts

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/9154#section=Associated-Disorders-and-Diseases

https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/0d1ee6d4-1a47-0737-35c7-3503f0fca417

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons/health_effects.html