Benzopyrene is a chemical compound that belongs to the first hazard class. Benzaperene belongs to the family of polycyclic hydrocarbons. This compound is formed during the combustion of any organic fuel (firewood, straw, peat, coal, oil products and gas). Least quantity benzopyrene is formed during the combustion of gas.
Bezaperene tends to accumulate. Its accumulation is predominantly in soil, less in water. From the soil it again enters plant tissue and further spreads throughout trophic chains.
Bezapyrene has luminescence in the visible part of the spectrum, which allows it to be detected in concentrations up to 0.01 ppb by luminescent methods.
Benzopyrene is present in gaseous industrial wastes, car exhausts, tobacco smoke, food combustion products, etc. Up to 40% of benzene emissions come from ferrous metallurgy, 26% from domestic heating, 16% from chemical industry. The highest concentrations of B., exceeding the MPC by 10-15 times, were observed in cities with aluminum production plants (Bratsk, Krasnoyarsk, Novokuznetsk, etc.). The MPC for B. is exceeded by 6–10 times in cities with ferrous metallurgy enterprises (Nizhny Tagil, Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk) and by 3–5 times in cities with large petrochemical and oil refining enterprises (Ufa, Perm, Samara).
Benz(a)pyrene is also found in places where spontaneously occurring forest fires, it also appears in the atmosphere as a result of volcanic eruptions. However, it should be understood that the combustion process itself (i.e., carbon oxidation) is not necessary for the formation of benzo(a)pyrene. It is formed as a result of polymerization processes of relatively simple-structured fragments of molecules (mainly of a free radical nature), which are formed from the original fuel due to the action of high temperatures, at unfavorable conditions combustion. One of the most common sources of benzo(a)pyrene formation is also pyrolysis.
Biological action benzopyrene
It is the most typical environmental carcinogen.
MPC - 0.020 mg/kg.
Extremely dangerous even at ultra-low concentrations, because tends to accumulate.
Being a chemically stable compound, it can long time move from one to another object (organism).
Benzopyrene has a mutagenic effect.
An international group of experts has classified benzo(a)pyrene as one of the agents for which there are available limited evidence their carcinogenic effect on humans and reliable evidence of their carcinogenic effect on animals. IN experimental studies benzo(a)pyrene has been tested in nine animal species, including monkeys. Benz(a)pyrene can enter the body through the skin, respiratory organs, digestive tract and transplacentally. With all these methods of exposure, it was possible to cause malignant tumors (cancer) in animals.
Benz(a)pyrene (BP) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), the most persistent and potent carcinogen among PAHs. Is an indicator of the presence of carcinogenic PAHs in environment. The release of BP into the atmosphere occurs mainly due to the combustion of coal, wood, coke production, forest and steppe fires - more than 5000 tons/year.[...]
Benz(a)pyrene (C20 12) is the most well-known substance from the group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; a fairly widespread carcinogen. For comparison, we point out that in industrial countries The emissions of this carcinogen are also significant: annually its release in England is more than 71 tons, in Germany - 83, in France - 58 tons, etc. [...]
Benz(a)pyrene SmNc is the most common of the carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment. As a rule, PAHs are understood as compounds with the number of condensed rings from two to six, with molecular weight from 128 to 278. It is identified as an indicator for the entire group of PAHs, and strict MPCs have been approved for it in Russia. Benz(a)pyrene promotes the formation of tumors, affects the respiratory and nervous system. The main condition for the formation of PAHs is a temperature of 800-1000 °C. It provokes the occurrence of a number of oncological diseases.[...]
It is formed when heated organic material under conditions of lack of oxygen and appears as yellowish plates or needles, insoluble in water. This carcinogen is present in the exhaust gases of cars, especially those with diesel engines. It is found in smoke from smokehouses, in cigarette smoke and in smoke-fried meat.[...]
Benz(a)pyrene was extracted with diethyl ether, the extract was evaporated on a rotary evaporator until the ether was removed, and the dry residue was dissolved in 2 ml of benzene. Preliminary fractionation (screening) of fractions of PAHs and other organic compounds was carried out by TLC on Silufol plates with a mixture of cyclohexane and hexane (16:1) as a mobile phase. quantitation the target component in the isolated PAH fraction was carried out by GC/FID after separation of the components of the PAH mixture on a capillary column (25 m x 0.32 mm) with 0 M01 silicone when programming the temperature in the range 200-310 °C at a rate of 4 °C/min. The chromatogram obtained under these conditions is shown in Fig. N.8-A.[...]
Benz(a)pyrene is one of the most common and potent carcinogens found in atmospheric air. In cities where its concentration is 2-4 MAC, the incidence of cancer in people over 40 years of age increases by 12-20%, and when it exceeds 4 MAC it is 22-24% higher than in cities where the concentration of benzo(a)pyrene less than 2 maximum permissible concentrations.[...]
Crystals are stable at room temperature in closed containers in a dark room, or in containers that do not transmit ultraviolet, violet and blue light spectrums. In solutions, when illuminated with the indicated light spectra, as well as upon contact with air, it quickly oxidizes to form quinones, carboxylic acids.[ ...]
Benz(a)pyrene, as noted above, has carcinogenic properties, i.e., it can cause malignant diseases. Carbon monoxide (CO) changes the composition of the blood, leading to disruption nervous activity.[ ...]
The main sources of BP are enterprises of non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy, coke chemistry, petrochemistry, foundries, asphalt concrete plants, thermal power plants, transport, waste incineration.[...]
Benz(a)pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formed when certain organic substances are exposed to high temperatures. Contained in exhaust gases from cars, waste gases from enterprises, and tobacco smoke. Average concentration B. in precipitation on the territory of Russia has increased over the past 3-4 years and amounted to 0.70-0.75 ng/l in the ETR, and 0.66 ng/l in the Asia-Pacific region. The maximum content of B. in the air is observed in winter period.[ ...]
[ ...]
Benz(a)pyrene (BP) solid crystalline substance, melting point 179°C, resistant to external influences.[...]
Israel Yu.A., Vasilenko V.N., Dlikman I.F. and others. T. 325, No. 2. - P. 264-266. [...]
Related to the issue of benzo/a/pyrene is the issue of the use of asbestos and the regulation of emissions of dust containing it. In Western developed countries the use of asbestos is reduced to a minimum, because mnsroigln asbestos in dust, penetrating into fabrics human body, cause diseases. At the same time, standardization of such emissions is difficult, because VDK standards are developed only for the asbestos mining and processing industry, but not for users. Therefore, we have to consider a heating main with flying pieces of asbestos harmless, as well as buildings with weathered asbestos-containing material.[...]
However, not only benzo(a)pyrene, but also industrial dust, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide can cause cancer if the concentration of any of them exceeds 2 MAC. This circumstance deserves special attention, since the steady increase in nitrogen dioxide concentrations in the atmospheric air of cities is due to the growth of the car fleet, emissions from which in more than 150 Russian cities already exceed industrial emissions.[ ...]
To take samples for benzo(a)pyrene, a filter is cut out of fabric in a gauze pad (FPP-15 or FPA-15) - a circle with a radius of 32 cm, which is laid with a layer of gauze on the cartridge mesh. After strengthening the filter in the cartridge using a clamping ring, further installation is carried out with the fan motor turned on. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the filter completely and hermetically covers the entire surface of the cartridge, tightly adhering to the support mesh. The filtering surface in this installation is 1400 cm2. Air is sucked in at a speed of 100-250 m3/h. The duration of sampling, depending on the degree of air pollution, varies from 1 to 12 hours. Near emission sources (industrial site), sampling is carried out for 20 minutes. As the filter becomes dirty during sampling, the filtration rate decreases, so it is necessary to systematically take rotameter readings for subsequent calculation of the volume of drawn air. After sampling, the filters, folded with the contaminated side inward, are placed in a bag made of tracing paper or polyethylene and delivered to the laboratory for analysis.[...]
A significant amount of benzo(a)pyrene is released during combustion conditions accompanied by soot formation, and depends primarily on the excess air in the furnace and the flame temperature. In well-regulated combustion devices, the yield of benzo(a)pyrene does not exceed 0.4 - 10-4 µg/m3 of combustion products. It should be noted that benzo(a)pyrene is highly soluble in acetone, benzene, toluene and a number of other solvents and can be captured by filters made of FPP-15 fabric, developed by Academician I.V. Petryanov-So-kolov.[...]
When water containing benzo(a)pyrene in an amount of 1 μg/l is chlorinated, its concentration decreases, but complete disinfection is not achieved. Along with this, products of interaction of this substance with chlorine are formed.[...]
In those objects where benzo(a)pyrene is found, as a rule, other PAHs are also present, among which it is one of the strongest carcinogens formed as a result of pyrolytic reactions. The main condition for the formation of PAHs is high temperature - 800-1000°C, therefore the main sources of PAH emissions are the chimneys of process furnaces and bitumen production plants. [...]
It is common to exceed the MPC for benzo(a)pyrene at major intersections and near highways. Maximum permissible concentration of benzo(a)pyrene in the air of populated areas - 1 ng/m, in air working area- 0.15 µg/m[...]
The suction cartridge for sampling benzo(a)pyrene is a funnel-shaped metal device (Fig. 5.24), inside of which a mesh is mounted on the ribs, which serves as a supporting base for the filter on which the sample is taken. The filter is attached to the cartridge with a metal ring on top. To prevent air dilution, it is necessary to remove the emission at a distance of 3-4 m from the filter surface (shown in shortened form in Fig. 5.23).[...]
The main goal of the work is to assess benzo(a)pyrene pollution in the territory of Chelyabinsk and its environs, including garden plots, agricultural lands, and the river. Miass and lake “First”, draining an urbanized area.[...]
Impact on humans. Experts consider benzo(a)pyrene in interaction with three types of agents - soot, tar, oil, for which epidemiological studies have reliably proven a link between their exposure and cancer in humans. Benzo(a)pyrene can enter the body of animals through the skin, respiratory organs, digestive tract and transplacentally, and with all methods of exposure it was possible to induce malignant tumors. [...]
[ ...]
As you can see, Russian standards are not so bad. Our MPC for arsenic is the same as in the USA, the standard for benzo(a)pyrene is stricter than in Europe and the USA, and only benzene can be a reason to doubt the correctness of GOST indicators.[...]
Benzene is used in the production of explosives, as well as as a solvent and extracting agent when carrying out analyzes for benzo(a)pyrene, in the production of varnishes and paints.[...]
Significant pollution was detected on Gogolevsky and Petrovsky boulevards - 2.3-2.7 MPC It should be noted that one vehicle emits an average of 1 mcg of bene(a)pyrene per minute when driving.[...]
[ ...]
This compound is formed during the combustion of coal, oil, shale in heating systems for industrial and domestic use, as well as in the processes of distillation of these fuels. The carcinogen eventually enters the biosphere with flue gases. Carcinogens are formed in drinking water, if it has been subjected to excessive chlorination.[...]
As a result of incomplete combustion of coal and oil, soils are contaminated with benzo(a)pyrene, which moves along trophic chains (it causes cancer).[ ...]
One of the most toxically dangerous emissions into the atmosphere is benzo(a)pyrene (C20H12). This substance tends to accumulate in the body and contributes to the development of cancer, i.e. it is a carcinogen.[...]
HC1, carbon monoxide CO, carbon dioxide C02, phenol C6H5OH, formaldehyde and benzo(a)pyrene C2 oHi2.[...]
A large group of questions arises in connection with known solution The Ministry of Energy of the USSR and the State Committee for Nature Protection of the USSR do not take into account and do not standardize benzene/a/pyrene. This question is more significant both for those who deal with emissions from stationary sources and for those who deal with transport emissions. The desire to hide cancer-causing emissions is great, but unacceptable. Of course, to begin accounting and rationing of bene/a/pyrene, it is necessary to cancel the above-mentioned decision.[...]
The chromatogram of a mixture of sixteen PAHs on a column with 1 PM-bis(n-methoxybenzylidene)-a,a-di-n>-toluidine (Fig. 1U.9) demonstrates the capabilities of this variant of chromatographic separation of PAHs. Such columns make it possible to analyze PAHs with high molecular weight (up to C24 compounds) at a relatively low temperature (about 290-300 °C). However, only one high efficiency Liquid-crystal NLPs are not sufficient for the separation of numerous isomers of PAHs and PAS. There is no doubt, however, that the use of CC with these NLFs is promising for solving the problem of chromatographic separation of complex and multicomponent mixtures of PAHs present in the air along with other organic compounds.[ ...]
According to experts, when replacing gasoline and diesel fuel in motor vehicles with natural gas, the toxicity of exhaust gases decreases: for CO2 - 5-10 times, for NOx - 1.5-2.5 times, for benzene/a/pyrene - 10 times ; Lead compounds are completely excluded. However, the low interest of motor transport enterprises in carrying out work to replace liquid petroleum motor fuels with compressed natural gas leads to a decrease in the number of cars using this more environmentally friendly type of fuel. In this regard, it is advisable to prepare regulations on tax benefits and preferential lending to suppliers and consumers of compressed gas. natural gas, used as motor fuel. At the same time, work should be done to increase the tax burden for enterprises producing leaded gasoline and provide tax benefits for producers of unleaded fuel. Solutions are possible to reduce emissions from vehicles and by improving the organization traffic flows, quality improvement Maintenance.[ ...]
The study of soil pollution should be preceded by a study of the technological production process, the composition of the ores used, fuel, and the characteristics of dust and gas treatment facilities. This allows you to determine the group of substances entering the environment. Emissions from ferrous metallurgy enterprises pollute the soil with Na, Mn, Cr, Co, Co, Cu, Mo, Bn, Pb, Xa. Near petrochemical industry enterprises, soil contamination with benzo[a]pyrene is possible. High concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are also found in emissions from thermal power plants. .[...]
During chromatographic separation, plates are prepared for thin layer chromatography. To do this, aluminum oxide is applied to the surface of the glass plate, the starting line is marked at a distance of 15 mm from bottom edge. Along the plate with right side separate a strip 20 mm wide. Apply 0.5 ml of benzene extract to the starting line of the wide (left) part of the plate. A “witness” is applied to the starting line of the narrow part - 0.1 ml of a standard solution of benzo[a]pyrene with a concentration of 10 μg/ml. After the benzene has evaporated, the lower end of the plate is placed in a cup; Petri with a mixed solution of n-hexane and benzene (2:1). The upper end of the plate is lowered onto the edge of the dish and the dish with the plate is placed in a desiccator for chromatographic separation. After the solvent reaches the upper edge, the plate is removed and viewed under ultraviolet light, marking the benzo[a]pyrene zone in the sample at the level of the “witness” fluorescent spot. The width of the luminescent zone of benzo[a]pyrene in the sample at the “witness” level must be at least 30 mm. Aluminum oxide with benzo[a]pyrene is transferred to a funnel with an ash-free filter and 50-100 ml of benzene is added, which is then evaporated in a water bath to 5 ml.
First of all, it’s worth understanding what benzopyrene is and why it’s scary, strictly speaking. From school course In chemistry, some of us may remember compounds such as aromatic hydrocarbons - organic substances in which carbon molecules are connected in a ring. Such connections are distinguished by the number of rings connected to each other (almost like in the Olympic sign). Substances that consist of several rings are called polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates, and benzopyrene is one of them.
When they talk about the presence of benzopyrene in food - in fact we're talking about about the presence of polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates in them in general. There are simply thousands of such connections. They are similar in their structure and effects on the body, and since identifying each of the polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates would be difficult and expensive, the chemists agreed that benzopyrene would be used as a reference substance. There is one - with a certain degree of probability there will be others. If this compound is absent, most likely there will be no polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the test sample at all.
Now about the main thing - about the danger. Benzopyrene, like compounds similar to it, belong to the so-called highest hazard class. This is due to the fact that the breakdown products of this compound accumulate in the body and are integrated into DNA strands, thus introducing errors into the human genetic code. Most of these errors lead to the death of cells, which are replaced by new ones. But sometimes cells under the influence of benzopyrene begin to divide uncontrollably, causing cancer. Scientists estimate that 75% of all cancerous tumors It is caused precisely by polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates - this is the main carcinogen in the world.
In addition, benzopyrene promotes the deposition of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels, and, consequently, increases the risk of developing dangerous diseases such as coronary heart disease, heart attack and strokes. Besides, most of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have a toxic effect on the liver.
However, there is also good news- concentrations of benzopyrene that we encounter in Everyday life, are quite small. Therefore, a short stay in the zone increased risk, or a single use of products even with strong increased level polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates are unlikely to seriously harm health. It is the accumulation of these substances in the body that is dangerous. Although, as you know, everything permanent stems from the temporary. That's why best time don't tempt fate.
Where are the roots from?
How does the deadly benzopyrene get into our body? The answer is simple. All polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates are formed by incomplete combustion organic matter. How and what will burn does not matter. In fact, the highest dose of benzopyrene is received by smokers who daily, of their own free will, inhale the products of incomplete combustion of tobacco, then by workers of metallurgical and oil refineries where oil is processed and burned. coal. (By the way, another reason to think about whether smoking is worth it is that a smoker absorbs approximately the same amount of benzopyrene as a coke processing plant worker, while paying his own money for the poison).
The next largest source of benzopyrene released into the environment is highways. Polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates are released both during the combustion of fuel and during the evaporation of asphalt in the heat (therefore, taking children out of the city in the hot months is very correct solution). For this reason, concentrations of benzopyrene on busy highways are 3-5 times higher than in rural areas.
Dangerous food
And finally, for non-smoking citizens, one of the main sources of benzopyrene entering the body is food. Moreover, it is not chocolate, with which the sanitary services of a friendly neighboring country have been furiously frightening us lately, but the most common smoked meats, dishes cooked in open fire and any fried food.
For example, according to the “Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food Products on the risks to human health polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food,” published in December 2002, benzopyrene was found in concentrations of up to 300 μg/kg in some samples of smoked fish and duck. (This figure is comparable to the benzopyrene content in the tars formed when smoking tobacco). It should be noted that these figures are given for dishes prepared from clean, uncontaminated products.
The concentration of benzopyrene in the feedstock was 0.01-1 μg/kg. That is, during cooking, the concentration of the carcinogen increased thousands of times.
However, first things first. So, benzopyrene can be present in food both initially and formed during culinary processing.
dirty oyster
A classic example of high levels of benzopyrene in food products, widely reported in all newspapers, is oysters and lobsters caught in areas of the ocean where oil was spilled.
Since oil contains a lot of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, these substances first enter plant plankton, and then mollusks and crustaceans, and accumulate in their meat.
However, as already mentioned, scandals with benzopyrene found in seafood have been arising for a long time. Therefore, these products are controlled quite strictly. And quite often they “wrap” the contaminated product. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the quality of seafood purchased in supermarkets or served in a restaurant.
But before you buy mussels, rapana and crabs on the Crimean beaches, you need to think very, very carefully. And, of course, you shouldn’t collect mussels on stilts next to the pier yourself -
mi - they are guaranteed to be contaminated with both benzopyrene and heavy metals and other “amenities”.
But all other animal products can be eaten without fear. Benzopyrene accumulates only in the tissues of mollusks and crustaceans. Benzopyrene does not accumulate in the meat of fish and farm animals, as well as eggs and milk. Excessive amounts of this substance are very sharply detected in animal products.
roadside grass
Another significant source of benzopyrene in the body is vegetables and fruits grown near major highways. Where the carcinogen comes from in them is clear. The only thing that can be added is that most of the benzopyrene is associated with microscopic particles of soot that settle on the surface of leaves and fruits. Therefore, if you decide to plant a cherry next to a busy road, then at least take the time to thoroughly wash its fruits. And in the case of apples and pears, peel the skin altogether. (You shouldn’t worry about the fact that the peel contains the most vitamins. A modern urban person who has no problems with the amount and variety of his diet gets enough vitamins. And the peel of vegetables and fruits contains much more harmful substances than useful ones).
One more nuance - the most benzopyrene is accumulated by plants with large leaves and leaves and fruits covered with a waxy coating, that is, the most popular vegetables: cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini. Thus, although it is possible to create a small bed with onions and parsley in the courtyard of a house located on a busy highway, then it is definitely not worth growing vegetables there.
And, of course, you should not collect any berries and medicinal herbs near the highway, however, this is clear.
Harmful fat
The main share of benzopyrene that we get from food is formed during cooking, all with the same incomplete combustion of organic substances, namely when exposed to temperatures above 200 ° C. And this is: frying, smoking (benzapyrene is formed during the combustion of fuel in a smokehouse) , cooking on a barbecue, drying dried fruits, cocoa beans, coffee beans and some types of tea in violation of technology and extracting vegetable oils using refining.
Let's look at each case separately.
Refined oils
Refining of vegetable oils, be it sunflower, corn or refined olive (pomance oil), is carried out by processing petroleum products that contain benzopyrene. Some amounts of this substance may remain in the final product. Refined oils are considered one of the main sources of carcinogens entering the body. IN European Union has been around for quite a long time mandatory check refined oils for benzopyrene content.
Several years ago, this indicator began to be monitored in our country. However, when choosing refined oil, it is better to choose deodorized and frozen brands - when using these purification technologies, almost all benzopyrene is removed from the product. In addition, it is advisable to use refined oil only for frying. For dressing salads, it is better to use virgin oil - it is healthier and there is no benzopyrene in it.
And, of course, we should not forget that greatest number We get benzopyrene, and at the same time trans fats that are harmful to blood vessels, not from vegetable oil as such, but margarine prepared on its basis and products containing this ersatz fat. Use of margarine, spreads, etc. better to avoid altogether.
Frying and grilling
Another significant source of benzopyrene entering the body is frying and grilling. In these dishes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are formed when fat is heated above 200°C. In a heavily fried piece of meat, the concentration of benzopyrene can reach up to 300 mcg/kg (and this is very, very high).
One piece of advice can be given - to prefer boiled or steamed dishes (the concentration of benzopyrene in them is rarely higher than 10 mcg/kg), or fry as quickly as possible and not too much. And, of course, you should not eat charred pieces of meat. In addition, preliminary marinating of meat and fish and the addition of caramelizing agents (cooking in honey or maple molasses) helps reduce the concentration of carcinogens - in this case, the frying time is significantly reduced, and hence the concentration of benzopyrene.
When grilling food, a carcinogen is also formed in hot fat. The situation is especially dangerous when fat drips onto hot coals. Therefore, it is better to cook lean meat and fish on the grill and, if possible, try to use a vertical grill (such as that of shawarma vendors).
Using a vertical grill allows you to reduce the concentration of carcinogens in finished project up to 30 times. (However, this is not yet a reason to eat street shawarma. In addition to benzopyrene, there are many other, no less harmful substances).
We won’t talk at all about the fact that you can’t use resinous pine wood for cooking kebabs, much less construction waste with paint and glue residues.
Smoking
Another critical process is smoking. However, the amount of benzopyrene produced during the formation of smoke is extremely heterogeneous. This indicator depends on the composition and moisture content of the wood, access to oxygen, the distance between the source of smoke and the product being smoked, and much more.
One thing can be said - modern smoking installations are designed in such a way as to minimize the accumulation of carcinogens in products. Therefore, smoked meat prepared industrially is definitely safer than smoked meat at home, although it is not always tastier.
And finally best results replaces smoking with “liquid smoke” treatment. In this case, there is no impact of high temperatures on the project at all and, accordingly, carcinogens do not accumulate. The only question is the taste and the fact that in addition to carcinogens there are many other harmful substances
Coffee, tea, cocoa
During roasting, coffee beans are exposed to high temperatures, and, therefore, benzopyrene can accumulate in them. A study conducted in Finland showed that ground coffee may contain 100-200 μg/kg of benzopyrene. The same is true for some varieties of black tea, which are dried in ovens heated by gasoline or diesel fuel. In some sheet samples, the benzopyrene content reached 1400 μg/kg.
However, you should not expect any special problems from coffee and tea - benzopyrene from leaves and coffee beans practically does not turn into infusion. Therefore, drinks made even from contaminated leaves do not contain a carcinogen.
It’s worse with cocoa (cocoa beans are also sometimes dried in gasoline-heated ovens) and dried fruits. In the case of dried fruits sold in markets, drying in gasoline ovens is the absolute norm, and there is no way to identify such dried fruits. In addition, unlike coffee, we absorb cocoa beans and dried fruits directly, and do not drink an infusion from them. So there is only one way out - rely on good name manufacturer, who can voluntarily test their products for benzopyrene.
How to get rid of benzopyrene when cooking?
- Prefer boiling and stewing to frying.
- It is especially not recommended to fry fatty meat.
- Do not eat pieces that are charred black.
- Use deodorized and seasoned oils for frying.
- When frying, change the oil as often as possible.
- Try to replace smoking with “liquid smoke”.
- When grilling barbecues and kebabs, make sure that fat does not drip into the fire.
- If possible, choose vertical grills (like those sold by shawarma sellers), when using them, fat does not fall on the hot surface.
The general public learned about benzopyrene after Onishchenko suspended the import of Ukrainian chocolate and Roshen candies to Russia in 2013. One of the reasons was precisely the fact that benzopyrene was found (or allegedly found) in the products. Unlike the general public, environmentalists, toxicologists, doctors and thoughtful adherents healthy image Life knows beznapiren as one of the main urban ecotoxicants along with dioxins, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and other harmful substances. What kind of animal is this and why is it dangerous? Let's figure it out.
What is benzopyrene?
First, the main thing is terms. In chemistry, the name of this substance is written “benzo(a)pyrene”, but in the literature and the media the spellings “benzopyrene”, “benzopyrene” and “benzopyrene” are found. All this is the same substance, 3,4-benzpyrene.
Benzopyrene belongs to substances of the 1st hazard class and is a carcinogen, i.e. provokes the development of cancer. The average daily maximum concentration of benzopyrene in the air of populated areas is 0.001 μg/m3.
« Speaking in the language of chemistry, benzo(a)pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. They are common in the environment and are a combination of so-called benzene rings, interlocked with each other. These are carcinogens“,” Vladimir Ishchenko, head of the laboratory at the State Enterprise “Ukrmetrteststandart”, said in an interview with the Ukrainian BBC.
Where does benzopyrene come from?
In BES we read: “ Benzopyrene is found in coal tar, tobacco smoke, air big cities, soil.<…>Carcinogenic" In fact, of course, there is much larger number sources of benzopyrene: some experts believe that it is found almost everywhere, just in small dosages. We will present the main sources of this substance.
- The main source is almost all industries that include combustion processes (CHP, boiler houses, petrochemical and asphalt bitumen production, aluminum production, pyrolysis). By the same principle, burning landfills also become a source of benzopyrene.
- Car exhausts. Benzopyrene is formed during the combustion of fuel in an engine. internal combustion car. This is one of the most concentrated “flows” of this substance, and given the number of cars in major cities, also the largest in the city (provided there are no large-scale industries). It must be said that in cities it is automobile emissions that are the main source of air pollution, and not only benzopyrene.
- Tobacco smoke. The smoke from three cigarettes contains approximately 110 nanograms (10-9 grams) of benzopyrene.
- Roast. Fried meat is a source of benzopyrene in significant quantities. Anything that undergoes a roasting process can contain it, including coffee and cocoa beans, for example.
- Smoked meats. Benzopyrene will be present in any products (not only of animal origin, but also, for example, dried fruits) that are prepared by smoking rather than drying. For example, at the beginning of 2014, benzopyrene was discovered in the Latvian sprats of the SIA Randa Klavas enterprise, as a result of which Rosselkhoznadzor introduced an enhanced regime laboratory control in relation to the company.
- Fish and seafood may contain doses of benzopyrene if they were caught in areas of water contamination with oil products.
- Everything that grows along highways or in close proximity to them. Mushrooms, cereals and other plants through the soil are capable of receiving doses of benzopyrene, which enters the atmosphere with the exhaust gases of cars.
Why is benzopyrene dangerous?
We have already found out that it is carcinogenic. But there are many carcinogens in the world, so why should benzopyrene be used by environmentalists, scientists and regulators? public health receive more attention than other ecotoxicants?
Firstly, because benzopyrene can accumulate in the body, so even if you are exposed to very small doses, if it happens regularly, you can end up with a high concentration of this substance in your body.
Secondly, benzopyrene is fat-soluble, i.e. any fat can absorb this substance. Vladimir Ishchenko, in an interview with the Ukrainian BBC, said: “For example, if sunflower seeds are stored on asphalt and dried with diesel dryers, they accumulate these polyaromatic cyclic hydrocarbons, in particular benzo(a)pyrene. And then, during extraction, all the benzo(a)pyrene goes into the oil, since it is fat-soluble.” So any oil, any fat, fatty dairy products, fatty meat and dozens of other products can carry different concentrations of benzopyrene.
These two properties, coupled with its ubiquity (all of us, city residents, daily inhale air containing benzopyrene when passing by highways and walking on asphalt in summer), makes it one of the widespread ecotoxicants.
What to do?!
In addition to a total paradigm shift economic system, You mean? No, it’s true: the situation can be completely corrected only by abandoning the burning of fossil fuels in favor of alternative sources energy, ideally renewable energy, converting gasoline and diesel cars to electric or hydrogen engines or any other more environmentally friendly alternatives. It’s hard to say what to do with asphalt - this is a separate topic for environmentally friendly urban road surfaces.
What to do on a personal level? Spend more time in nature, install a fresh air ventilation system in your apartment, which forcibly sucks in air from the street, passes it through a filter and only then delivers it to your apartment. Minimize your time spent near major highways.
In the summer of 2010, when there were waves of abnormal heat in Russia, including Moscow, which caused large-scale fires, Moscow authorities recommended that people, if possible, not leave their homes while indoors, plug the cracks in the windows with wet rags, and wear respirators outside , masks or cover your mouth and nose with a damp handkerchief to protect yourself from smog. In that situation, the streets were literally full of benzopyrene - the hot asphalt melting in the sun, the same millions of cars and the smog from burning forests produced a unique “bouquet” of polluting gases that were not at all beneficial to human health.
So there's not much that can be done. In addition to the above, you can add - choose quality products food whose manufacturer you are most confident in; in the case of benzopyrene this primarily concerns oils and fats various kinds. Well, one more thing - keep a sense of humor, this secret weapon humanity, which will help defeat any infection when nothing else helps.