This volume is the 3rd in a series of comprehensive publications devoted to the molecular spectra and environmentally important properties of polycyclic aromatic compounds which constitute one of the most interesting classes of environmental carcinogens. Since the first identification of dibenz(a, h)anthracene and later benzo(a)pyrene as chemical carcinogens in the 1930's, the number of publications devoted to this ubiquitously occurring group of compounds has increased constantly. Therefore, this reference source for the spectral, physicochemical and en- vironmentaJ properties of polycyclic...

Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PAC) are a broad class of compounds whose wide distribution in the environment results from incomplete combustion processes of fossil fuels in power generator, industrial plant and domestic heating, from car exhaust gas and from tobacco smoke. Many PACs are biologically active and in particular many of the PACs with three or more fused rings are carcinogenic. Currently there is concern of the occurrence of these pollutants at ppb (ug.kg-1) le vel. However the predicted 2 to 3% annual increase in the rate of their release into 1 the environment could lead to ppm...