No information is available on the reproductive or developmental effects of polycyclic organic matter in humans.
Cancer is the major concern from exposure to polycyclic organic matter.
Assessing Personal Exposure PAHs or their breakdown products can be measured in urine, blood, or body tissues. Animal studies have reported enzyme alterations in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and increases in liver weights from acute oral exposure to several PAHs. Epidemiologic studies have reported an increase in lung cancer in humans exposed to coke oven emission, roofing tar emissions, and cigarette smoke. Each of these mixtures contains a number of PAHs. EPA uses mathematical models, based on animal studies to estimate the probability of a person developing cancer from ingesting water containing a specified concentration of a chemical.