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polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
noun
: 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
Sealants containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels higher than 0.1 percent are banned in the county, the first jurisdiction in Maryland to do so.
—Washington Post, 30 June 2020
The oil pollution in the fish included levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, known as PAHs.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 20 Apr. 2020
Unrefined petrolatum contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are carcinogens, Stevenson says.
—NBC News, 20 Feb. 2020
One of the most intriguing hypotheses proposed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as a DIB suspect.
—Ryan C. Fortenberry, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2020
Or particles might contain metals, sulfur, and chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that can dissolve in seawater and become toxic to marine species.
—National Geographic, 10 Jan. 2020
Vape juice can contain contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a byproduct of burning coal, oil and gas, the doctors wrote.
—oregonlive, 3 Oct. 2019
Working for 5 years, Şık and a team of scientists discovered dangerous levels of pesticides, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in multiple food and water samples from several provinces in western Turkey.
—Kristen McTighe, Science | AAAS, 27 Sep. 2019
Fire from wood, charcoal or gas also emits polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, known as PAHs.
—Alix Wall, sun-sentinel.com, 10 July 2019
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Word History
First Known Use
1951, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon was
in 1951
Dictionary Entries Near polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
Cite this Entry
“Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polycyclic%20aromatic%20hydrocarbon. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
noun
: any of a class of hydrocarbon molecules with multiple carbon rings that include numerous carcinogenic substances and environmental pollutants
called also PAH, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon
More from Merriam-Webster on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
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