Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are harmful pollutants that may end up in the body through certain foods, skin exposure, and air containing cigarette smoke, exhaust gases, or asphalt fumes. EU legislation sets maximum permissible PAH concentrations for several types of products, materials, and environmental samples. Measurlabs offers the required laboratory testing to demonstrate that these limits are not exceeded.
Table of contents
What are PAHs, and what are the concerns?
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or polyaromatic hydrocarbons, are a group of organic compounds whose molecular structure contains two or more aromatic rings fused together. PAHs are formed as a result of incomplete combustion of fuels, often in the oil industry and transport, or when organic material such as wood or animal fat burns incompletely.
Many PAH compounds have been shown to have genotoxic and mutagenic properties, and several have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. As a result, certain PAHs are classified as carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).1
PAH restrictions under the REACH Regulation
The European Union’s REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) sets maximum concentrations for eight PAH in plastic or rubber components of consumer products that come into contact with the human body. The restriction, specified in entry 50 of Annex XVII, covers the following compounds:2
Benzo(a)pyrene
Benzo(e)pyrene
Benzo(a)anthracene
Chrysene
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
Benzo(j)fluoranthene
Benzo(k)fluoranthene
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
Applicable products include, among others, clothing, accessories, sports equipment, tools, and household utensils. These may not be sold in the EU if rubber or plastic parts contain more than 1 mg/kg of any of the eight PAH. The limit is stricter for toys and childcare articles, which may not be sold if relevant components contain more than 0.5 mg/kg of any listed PAH.
The REACH PAH restriction also applies to other product groups. Extender oils used to produce tyres may not be placed on the market if benzo[a]pyrene content exceeds 1 mg/kg or if the sum of the 8 listed PAHs exceeds 10 mg/kg. For granules or mulches used in synthetic turf, other sports surfaces, or playgrounds, the sum of the eight PAHs must not exceed 20 mg/kg.
More recently, entry 50a was added to the REACH Regulation Annex XVII. Under this new entry, the sum of 18 PAH compounds in clay targets for shooting must not exceed 50 mg/kg from 22 April 2026 onward.3
EU regulations on PAH in food & food contact materials
PAH compounds may end up in food as a result of environmental contamination of the raw materials, or they may be formed during the manufacturing or cooking process. They are most likely to be present in smoked, roasted, grilled, or dried foods, oils, and fats. EU regulations mandate PAH testing for high-risk foods and products intended for small children.
Maximum levels for PAH and other food contaminants in high-risk product groups are set in Regulation (EU) 2023/915. In terms of PAH, limits apply to the concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene and the combination of benzo(a)pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, and chrysene, which are known together as PAH 4.4 The maximum concentrations for selected products are listed in Table 1.
Table 1: Maximum PAH concentrations in food by product type
Product | Limit for benzo(a)pyrene | Limit for PAH 4 |
Cocoa beans and derived products | 5 μg/kg | 30 μg/kg |
Coconut oil | 2 μg/kg | 20 μg/kg |
Other oils and fats | 2 μg/kg | 10 μg/kg |
Smoked meats and meat products | 2 μg/kg | 12 μg/kg |
Smoked fish and fishery products | 2 μg/kg | 12 μg/kg |
Smoked mollusks | 6 μg/kg | 35 μg/kg |
Baby food and infant formula | 1 μg/kg | 1 μg/kg |
Traditionally smoked meat and fishery products* | 5 μg/kg | 30 μg/kg |
Dried herbs and spices, plant powders for the preparation of beverages | 10 μg/kg | 50 μg/kg |
Banana chips | 2 μg/kg | 20 μg/kg |
* These higher limits apply to specific types of traditionally smoked products in Ireland, Croatia, Cyprus, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Latvia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden. The product must be produced and sold domestically.
In terms of food contact materials (FCMs), PAH presence can be a concern when carbon black is used as an additive. According to the Plastics Regulation(EU) No 10/2011, benzo(a)pyrene content in carbon black used to produce plastic FCMs must not exceed 0.25 mg/kg.5
Limits on PAH in drinking water
EU's New Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184 defines maximum levels for a wide range of chemical contaminants, including several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. According to the directive, the following PAH concentrations must not be exceeded for drinking water to meet minimum quality criteria:6
0.01 μg/l for benzo(a)pyrene
0.1 μg/l for the sum of benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(ghi)perylene, and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene
Natural water and other environmental samples
PAHs are listed as “priority substances in the field water policy” in Annex X to the EU Water Framework Directive. The classification applies to benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene as a group, plus anthracene, fluoranthene, and naphthalene, which are listed separately.7
The directive obligates Member States to monitor and reduce pollution arising from priority substances. The practical thresholds (including maximum PAH concentrations in surface waters) are set in Annex I to the Environmental Quality Standards Directive.8 In addition to water, Member States must monitor PAH concentrations in sediment and biota.
Limits on PAHs in cosmetic products
The EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009) lists around 1,700 substances that are prohibited in cosmetics. Several PAH compounds are among the forbidden substances, including benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(e)pyrene, chrysene, and benzo(k)fluoranthene. In addition, the use of numerous coal-based substances, such as paraffin waxes and coal tar, is prohibited if they contain more than 0.005 weight percentages of benzo(a)pyrene.9
PAH analysis methods
PAH analyses can be performed using various methods. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are the most common techniques used for quantifying PAHs in food. GC-MS is also used to determine the PAH content of environmental samples, such as air and water.
In some cases, PAH analysis can be performed using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), liquid chromatography (LC), or a heavy distillates analyzer (HDA). The chosen method depends on the boiling range of the sample, along with product specifications and regulations.
Need an analysis?
Measurlabs offers accredited PAH testing for multiple sample types. See the following for more information – including indicative pricing – for the analysis of some of the most popular matrices:
PAH compounds in water (other liquids may be analyzed as well)
PAH in plastic and rubber (REACH compliance)
If you wish to discuss your testing needs in more detail, do not hesitate to contact our experts. Send us a message using the contact form below, and we will get back to you within one business day.
References:
1 See IARC list of classifications and ECHA’s substance infocard for PAH – hazard classifications for the individual compounds can be accessed through the group member list displayed on the page.
2 See entry 50, Annex XVII of the most recent consolidated version of the REACH Regulation for up-to-date information on PAH restrictions.
3 Regulation (EU) 2025/660, amending REACH as regards polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in clay targets.
4 These four have been selected based on the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) 2008 Scientific Opinion, which concluded that PAH4 are the most suitable indicators of PAHs in food. The PAH limits are incorporated into the consolidated version of Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on food contaminants.
5 Restrictions on using carbon black are outlined under FCM substance No 411 in Table 1 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 10/2011.
6 Directive (EU) 2020/2184, the minimum requirements for chemical parameters in drinking water are outlined in Part B of Annex I.
7 Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy.
8 Directive 2008/105/EC on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy.
9 Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products.