Environmental risk limits for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): For direct aquatic, benthic, and terrestrial toxicity

Abstract

RIVM derived maximum permissible concentrations (MPCs) and serious risk concentrations (SRC) for ecosystems for the 16 well-known polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This is done for all individual PAHs for water, sediment and soil. Data on the toxic effects were collected for each PAH in water, soil and sediment organisms. For this study, the methodology of the framework 'International and national environmental quality standards for substances in the Netherlands' (INS) is used. This method is nationally recognized and where possible, based on European directives.