PAHs can enter groundwater from ash, tar, or creosote that is improperly disposed in landfills. Most exhausts contain many different PAH compounds. People with the highest exposures are smokers, people who live or work with smokers, roofers, road builders and people who live near major highways or industrial sources. Shellfish living in contaminated water may be another major source of exposure. Vegetables do not take up significant amounts of PAHs that are in soil.
Exposure can come from handling contaminated soil or bathing in contaminated water.
Low levels of these chemicals may be absorbed when a person uses medicated skin cream or shampoo containing PAHs. We suggest you stop drinking water containing more than these amounts. If other PAHs are found in your drinking water, contact your local public health agency for advice. No standards exist for the amount of PAHs allowed in the air of homes. We use a formula to convert workplace limits to suggested home limits.