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What is Chrysene?
Chrysene is an aromatic hydrocarbon in coal tar, alliedto naphthalene and anthracene. It is a white crystalline substance, C18H12, of strong blue fluorescence, but generally colored yellow by impurities. Chrysene appears as a crystalline solid. Denser than water and insoluble in water.
Uses
Chrysene is not produced commercially with the exception of purification of the compound for laboratory research purposes
Sources & Potential Exposure
Workers in industries that inadvertently produce chrysene may breathe in vapors or have direct skin contact with soot. The general population will be exposed by breathing in tobacco smoke, exhaust smoke or smoke from other sources (e.g., forest fires). The general population may also be exposed to chrysene when eating and preparing smoked meat and fish. Consumption of contaminated food or drinking water may also be a route of exposure.
Federal Regulations
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, 1987, 2001) lists chrysene as a group 3 carcinogen, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans; only limited animal evidence exists.
