polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

noun

: any of a class of hydrocarbon molecules that have multiple carbon rings, and that include carcinogenic substances and environmental pollutants

—abbreviation PAH

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Sealants containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels higher than 0.1 percent are banned in the county, the first jurisdiction in Maryland to do so. —Washington Post, 30 June 2020

The oil pollution in the fish included levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, known as PAHs. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 20 Apr. 2020

Unrefined petrolatum contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are carcinogens, Stevenson says. —NBC News, 20 Feb. 2020

One of the most intriguing hypotheses proposed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as a DIB suspect. —Ryan C. Fortenberry, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2020

Or particles might contain metals, sulfur, and chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that can dissolve in seawater and become toxic to marine species. —National Geographic, 10 Jan. 2020

Vape juice can contain contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a byproduct of burning coal, oil and gas, the doctors wrote. —oregonlive, 3 Oct. 2019

Working for 5 years, Şık and a team of scientists discovered dangerous levels of pesticides, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in multiple food and water samples from several provinces in western Turkey. —Kristen Mctighe, Science | AAAS, 27 Sep. 2019

Fire from wood, charcoal or gas also emits polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, known as PAHs. —Alix Wall, sun-sentinel.com, 10 July 2019

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

noun

: any of a class of hydrocarbon molecules with multiple carbon rings that include numerous carcinogenic substances and environmental pollutants

called also PAH, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon