Automotive PAH emissions

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emissions have been of concern for many years due to potential carcinogenic effects, with several individual PAHs having been classified by IARC as either 'probably carcinogenic to humans' or 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'.

Wood burning is the largest global source of PAH emissions and is forecast to contribute by far the greatest proportion of the total EU PAH emissions by 2010. As a result of advances in technology and fuel quality, PAH emissions from automotive sources have been, and continue to be, substantially reduced. According to the EU's PAH position paper they should account for only about 8% of total EU atmospheric PAH emissions by 2010.