polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
nounDefinition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
: any of a class of hydrocarbon molecules that have multiple carbon rings, and that include carcinogenic substances and environmental pollutants
—abbreviation PAH
Examples of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fire from wood, charcoal or gas also emits polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, known as PAHs. — Alix Wall, sun-sentinel.com, "Some much-loved American Jewish classic foods may increase risk of cancer," 10 July 2019 The property was used for industrial operations until 1987, and was contaminated with chloroform, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and PCBs, according to a release announcing the grant. — Jim Newton, Lake County News-Sun, "Approval of long-awaited EPA brownfield cleanup funds 'a key turning point' for Waukegan's south lakefront," 6 June 2019 Initially, astronomers suspected the minuscule objects responsible for the glow were organic molecules called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)—essentially, the cosmic equivalent of soot, albeit produced by aging stars rather than smokestacks. — Shannon Hall, Scientific American, "Glittering Diamond Dust in Space Might Solve a 20-Year-Old Mystery," 11 June 2018 Coal tar is a byproduct of coal processing and contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can be toxic to aquatic life and humans, and can be found in asphalt sealing, according to a staff report. — Alexandra Kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Glenview gives final approval to ban on coal tar sealants," 4 May 2018 Coal tar is a byproduct of coal processing and contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can be toxic to aquatic life and humans, according to a staff report. — Alexandra Kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Glenview gives initial approval to ban coal tar sealants," 19 Apr. 2018 Coal tar is a byproduct of coal processing and contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can be toxic to aquatic life and humans, according to a staff report. — Alexandra Kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Glenview gives initial approval to ban coal tar sealants," 19 Apr. 2018 Coal tar is a byproduct of coal processing and contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can be toxic to aquatic life and humans, according to a staff report. — Alexandra Kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Glenview to consider ban on coal tar sealants," 4 Apr. 2018 Pyrene is desginated as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, or PAH. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Retrace Steps That Created the Building Blocks of Life," 5 Mar. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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