Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in drinking water of Tehran, Iran

Distribution and seasonal variation of sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) were investigated inthe drinking water of tehran, the capital of iran. detected single and total pahs concentrations were in the rangeof 2.01-38.96 and 32.45-733.10 ng/l, respectively, which were quite high compared to the values recorded in otherareas of the world. the average occurrence of pahs with high molecular weights was 79.55%; for example,chrysene occurred in 60.6% of the samples, with a maximum concentration of 438.96 ng/l. in addition, meancarcinogen to non-carcinogen pahs ratio was 63.84. although the concentration of benzo[a]pyrene, as an indicatorof water pollution to pahs, was lower than the guideline value proposed by world health organization (who) aswell as that of iranian national drinking water standards for all of the samples, the obtained results indicated thatcarcinogen pahs present in the drinking water of tehran can cause threats to human health.