Chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Sources, formation mechanisms, and occurrence in the environment

Chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ClPAHs and BrPAHs; XPAHs) are carcinogenic organic pollutants which are mainly produced and emitted from combustion processes. In some environmental matrices, XPAHs display similar toxic properties and even higher toxic equivalent quantities (TEQs) than dioxins. Understanding the sources and formation mechanisms of XPAHs is important for controlling their emissions and human exposure...