A Comprehensive Review of Benzo Alpha Pyrene (B[A]P) Toxicology

Benzo Alpha Pyrene (B[a]P) is a prototype Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH). It is a well known environmental pollutant and a procarcinogen. It is present ubiquitously in the environment and exposure to B[a]P occurs through air, food, water, skin contact etc. It is metabolized in the body by phase I and phase II reactions and the primary metabolites are non-toxic and easily excretable. A minor fraction of B[a]P is converted to active metabolites which are carcinogenic and adversely affect other systems of the body. This review covers all aspects of B[a]P including sources, exposure, metabolism and toxicity profile.