A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive ...

� There are several PAHs, of which approx. 15
are considered human carcinogens.
� Many PAHs are persistent and bioaccumulate.
� Three PAHs are WFD Priority Substances.
� No further PAH screening is considered necessary
in Norway, but monitoring should continue,
as levels are quite high on several locations.
� See also fact sheets 2, 14 and 22 for some
specific PAHs
Production and use
PAHs are mainly formed from incomplete combustion.
Several PAHs are used as intermediates,
such as naphthalene, acenaphthene, anthracene,
fluorine, fluoranthene, phenanthrene, and
pyrene. These are used in polymers, dyes, pigments,
surfactants, dispersant's, tanning agents,
solvents, insecticides, resins and rubber softeners.
In Norway the historic practice of using woodtar
as wood preservative on buildings and boats
is still widespread. Creosote is still in use as
wood preservative, but with restrictions for use.
Creosote can contain up to 85 % PAH
(CIRCA). There are restrictions for levels of BaP
in creosote.
Emissions, discharges,
distribution and hot-spots
Emissions have been stable from 1995 to 2003
at about 200 tons. Discharges to water have
increased in the same period from 14 to 29 tons
according to the SFT.
Main emitters were metal producers (50 %),
households (combustion) and wood preservation
(creosote). Wood preservation has reduced
emissions with about 30 % since 1995, but was
still a large source in 2002.
There are several hotspots for PAH, such as
smelters, industrial sites and landfills (manganese,
aluminium), sites where creosote has
been or are being used, coke production and old
gasworks. Emmissions to water from the Hydro
aluminium smelter at Sunndalsøra (Møre and
Romsdal County) has dropped significantly,
from 0,6 tons to 0,04 tons in 2004. Emissions
polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) ::::::::::..
28 Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
FACTS
Cas no.: 130498-29-2
Synonyms: Coal tar, Aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons,
Polyarenes.
Properties: Differs, often needles with faint odour.
Toxic effects: Many substances are probable carcinogens
(approx. 15) and genotoxic.
Benzo(a)pyrene is considered most toxic, it is carcinogenic,
mutagenic, teratogenic and genotoxic.
Many of the PAHs are toxic to aquatic organisms.
Log Kow: In the range of 3 to 6
Persistence: Half life for PAHs varies between substances.
Half-lives in soil and sediments vary from
days to several years depending on substance, climate,
light etc. Half life in fresh water and marine
environments varies from days to years, depending
on substance and conditions. For many substances
volatilization from soil (dry/wet), water and hydrolysis
are not important for environmental fate. Many PAHs
accumulates in aquatic life forms.
Water solubility: 1,6 to 3,8 µg/l at 25°C for
benzo(a)pyrene
Molecular formula: Multi-core aromatic ring systems.
Metabolites: 20 primary and secondary oxidized
metabolites and to a variety of conjugates. Several
metabolites can induce mutations, transform cells
and/or bind to cellular macromolecules, however
only a 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide is presently considered
to be an ultimate carcinogenic metabolite (for
B(a)P).
from the aluminium smelter in Mosjøen
(Nordland County) gas dropped from 2,5 tons
to 0,04 tons in 2004 due to change of technology.
Monitoring
Monitoring of PAH has been part of JAMP and
time trends exist here. PAH has also been investigated
in several other studies (see references).
Marine sediment
Many Norwegian harbour and fjord sediments
are strongly polluted by PAH. Most harbours
are screened, as are all fjords with heavy industry.
A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive
TA-2140/2005
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