Physical, chemical and toxicological properties of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in human exposure assessments to contaminated soil and groundwater

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of chemical substances consisting carbon and hydrogen only, which have multiple fused ring systems. Although PAHs widely recognised as contaminants concern (CoC), no applicable limits been established for groundwater in the Romanian legislation. Furthermore, existing methodologies do not include guidelines assessing human exposure to contaminated soil groundwater. The current research aims at identifying relevant physical, toxicological properties when conducting assessments potentially sites. methods applied based on general geoenvironmental risk assessment procedure by analysing sources generating PAHs, migration pathway depending their fate transport properties, vulnerability potential receptors, profile.