Distribution of US EPA Priority Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Indian Atmosphere: A Review

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IJEP 45(5): 475-484 : Vol. 45 Issue. 5 (May 2025)

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Rahul Sahoo, Sriya Pattnaik, Bikash Chandra Behera, Amiya Kumar Patel and Birendra Behera*

Sambalpur University, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Sambalpur – 768 019, Odisha, India

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are members of persistent organic pollutants found ubiquitously in air, water, soil and sediments and bioaccumulated in living organisms. India is a major contributor to the global atmospheric PAH emission, facing greater risk compared to the United States of America. The review summarizes all the reports regarding the presence and distribution of PAHs in the Indian atmosphere. The PAH distribution data of the last 20 years reported by various research groups in India were acquired from the literature and analyzed through multi-environmental parameters. The average concentrations of US EPA priority PAHs were calculated. Besides, the percentage share of individual PAHs from the total PAH concentration was quantified to elucidate the fate of PAH distribution. The meta-analysis revealed that the relatively higher molecular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) have dominated in different areas, seasons and zones of the Indian atmosphere. Moreover, the total PAH, as well as individual PAH levels, are in an alarming state throughout the country, which paves the way to design appropriate management strategies for a sustainable ecosystem.  

Keywords

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Air pollution, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Benzo(a)pyrene, Indian atmosphere

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