Nitropolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research Articles

Differential effects of nitro-PAHs and amino-PAHs on cytokine and chemokine responses in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells

Nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) are found in diesel exhaust and air pollution particles. Along with other PAHs, many nitro-PAHs possess mutagenic and carcinogenic properties, but their effects on pro-inflammatory processes and cell death are less known. In the present study we examined the effects of 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), 3-nitrofluoranthene (3-NF) and 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) and their corresponding amino forms, 1-AP, 3-AF and 3-ABA, in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells. The effects of the different nitro- and amino-PAHs were compared to the well-characterized PAH benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Expression of 17 cytokine and chemokine genes, measured by real-time PCR, showed that 1-NP and 3-NF induced a completely different cytokine/chemokine gene expression pattern to that of their amino analogues. 1-NP/3-NF-induced responses were dominated by maximum effects on CXCL8 (IL-8) and TNF-alpha expression, while 1-AP-/3-AF-induced responses were dominated by CCL5 (RANTES) and CXCL10 (IP-10) expression. 3-NBA and 3-ABA induced only marginal cytokine/chemokine responses. However, 3-NBA exposure induced considerable DNA damage resulting in accumulation of cells in S-phase and a marked increase in apoptosis. B[a]P was the only compound to induce expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-regulated genes, such as CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, but did not induce cytokine/chemokine responses in BEAS-2B cells. Importantly, nitro-PAHs and amino-PAHs induced both qualitatively and quantitatively different effects on cytokine/chemokine expression, DNA damage, cell cycle alterations and cytotoxicity. The cytokine/chemokine responses appeared to be triggered, at least partly, through mechanisms separate from the other examined endpoints. These results confirm and extend previous studies indicating that certain nitro-PAHs have a considerable pro-inflammatory potential.

A DFT study of the vibrational spectra of 1-, and 2-nitrotriphenylene

The infrared (IR) and Raman spectra, and intensities of triphenylene, 1-, and 2-nitrotriphenylene were investigated by the density functional theory (DFT, B3LYP method) with 6-311+G** basis set. Normal mode assignments are proposed with particular emphasis on the nitro group vibrations. Compared to 2-nitrotriphenylene (2-NTRP) 1-nitrotriphenylene (1-NTRP) is predicted to show asymmetric nitro stretches at higher frequencies. Through the vibrational study, the structure–spectroscopic relationships of these nitro polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) are made, and possible insights into their differential mutagenic potencies correlated. The geometrical distortions of the TRP structure upon nitro group substitution and correlations between structural parameters and vibrational data as well as structure–function relationships related to the mutagenicity of this important class of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are discussed.

Distribution and Source of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Nitropolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Tieling City, Liaoning Province, a Typical Local City in Northeast China

Distribution and Source of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Nitropolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Tieling City, Liaoning Province, a Typical Local City in Northeast China

Distribution and Source of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Nitropolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Tieling City, Liaoning Province, a Typical Local City in Northeast China

Airborne particulates were collected in three different size fractions (>7 <TEX>${\mu}m$</TEX>; 2.1-7 <TEX>${\mu}m$</TEX>; < 2.1 <TEX>${\mu}m$</TEX>) by using Andersen low-volume air samplers at three sites in Tieling city, Liaoning Province, a typical local city in northeast China, in every season during the period from July 2003 to May 2004. Nine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and seven nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) in the airborne particulates were determined by HPLC with fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection, respectively. The mean total concentrations of the nine PAHs and seven NPAHs were highest at The mixed residential and light industrial site, and lowest at the residential site near the suburbs. At all sites, more than 70% of the total PAHs and more than 60% of the total NPAHs were found in the finest particulate (< 2.1 <TEX>${\mu}m$</TEX>) fraction. Both cluster analysis and several diagnostic ratios showed that the major contributors of PAHs and NPAHs in airborne particulates were coal combustion systems such as domestic stoves and coal boilers in all seasons in Tieling city.

Photochemical reaction of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: effect by solvent and structure

Photochemical degradation of 1-nitropyrene, 2-nitrofluorene, 2,7-dinitrofluorene, 6-nitrochrysene, 3-nitrofluoranthene, 5-nitroacenaphthene, and 9-nitroanthracene were examined in CHCl(3), CH(2)Cl(2), DMF, DMF/H(2)O (80/20), CH(3)CN, or CH(3)CN/H(2)O (80/20). The degradation follows mostly the 1(st) order kinetics; but a few follow 2(nd) order kinetics or undergo self-catalysis. The photodegradation rates follow the order: CHCl(3) > CH(2)Cl(2) > DMF > DMF/H(2)O > CH(3)CN > CH(3)CN/H(2)O. DMF is an exceptional solvent because 3 of the 7 compounds undergo self-catalytic reaction. 9-Nitroanthracene, which has a perpendicular nitro group, is the fastest, while the more compact 1-nitropyrene and 3-nitrofluoranthene, are the slowest degrading compounds.

Influence of Combustion Temperature on Formation of Nitro-PAHs and Decomposition and Removal Behaviors in Pilot-Scale Waste Incinerator

To gain a better understanding of the formation and decomposition behaviors of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) in solid waste combustion, incineration experiments were conducted using a pilot-scale incinerator. Nitro-PAHs were formed during primary combustion, although the amounts formed were several orders of magnitude lower than those of the PAHs, PCDD/Fs, and the dioxin-like PCBs. Increasing the temperature of primary combustion from 690 to 890 degrees C resulted in a significant decrease in the formation of most of the nitro-PAH compounds studied. More than 99% of nitro-PAHs formed in the primary combustion zone were decomposed in the secondary combustion chamber at 900 degrees C with a 3-s residence time. The results indicate that appropriate secondary combustion conditions are the key to controlling emissions of nitro-PAHs. Under optimized conditions, the amounts of nitro-PAHs in the final off gases and in the ashes were significantly lower than those present in the incinerator input. Overall destruction efficiencies of nitro-PAHs reported in this study were 95.81-98.33%, indicating that emission of nitro-PAHs from solid waste combustion can be minimized by appropriate combustion control.

Mechanistic Studies of the Bypass of a Bulky Single-base Lesion Catalyzed by a Y-family DNA Polymerase

1-nitropyrene, the most abundant nitro polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in diesel emissions, has been found to react with DNA to form predominantly N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-1-aminopyrene (dGAP). This bulky adduct has been shown to induce genetic mutations, which may implicate Y-family DNA polymerases in its bypass in vivo. To establish a kinetic mechanism for the bypass of such a prototype single-base lesion, we employed pre-steady-state kinetic methods to investigate individual nucleotide incorporations upstream, opposite, and downstream from a site-specifically placed dGAP lesion catalyzed by Sulfolobus solfataricus DNA polymerase IV (Dpo4), a model Y-family DNA polymerase. Dpo4 was able to bypass dGAP but paused strongly at two sites: opposite the lesion and immediately downstream from the lesion. Both nucleotide incorporation efficiency and fidelity decreased significantly at the pause sites, especially during extension of the bypass product. Interestingly, a 4-fold tighter binding affinity of damaged DNA to Dpo4 promoted catalysis through putative interactions between the active site residues of Dpo4 and 1-aminopyrene moiety at the first pause site. In the presence of a DNA trap, the kinetics of nucleotide incorporation at these sites was biphasic in which a small, fast phase preceded a larger, slow phase. In contrast, only a large, fast phase was observed during nucleotide incorporation at non-pause sites. Our kinetic studies support a general kinetic mechanism for lesion bypass catalyzed by numerous DNA polymerases.

Exposures to Particulate Air Pollution and Nitro-Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons among Taxi Drivers in Shenyang, China

Exposures to particulate matter (PM) of both 10-2.5 microm (PM(10-2.5)) and below 2.5 microm (PM(2.5)) were measured for a cohort of taxi drivers in Shenyang, China, during August 2007. PM samples were collected inside and outside the taxi during the drivers' workshifts, and also inside the drivers' homes when they were off-shift. Ambient PM samples were also collected at a stationary location in Shenyang. Elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) were also measured in PM collected on quartz filters inside the taxis as well as at the stationary site. Concentrations of three nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs), 1-nitropyrene (1NP), 2-nitropyrene (2NP), and 2-nitrofluoranthene (2NFl), were determined in extracts of the PM samples by using a 2D-HPLC-MS/MS method. The 2NP and 2NFl concentrations did not change substantially with sampling location, but the 1NP concentrations were much higher in samples collected inside and outside the taxis as compared with sampling locations that were more removed from traffic. Concentration ratios of specific NPAHs were used to assess the atmospheric conditions in Shenyang during the sampling period. The relatively high ratios of 2NFl/1NP ( approximately 8-50) indicate an important contribution from secondary NPAH formation to ambient NPAH levels, especially for the nontaxi samples. The ratios of 2NFl/2NP (2.5-4.3) indicate that 2NFl is primarily formed via the hydroxyl-initiated reaction.

Analysis of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Nitropolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Gas/Particle Phases Separately Collected by a High-volume Air Sampler Equipped with a Column Packed with XAD-4 Resin

We developed a sampler for collecting atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) by attaching a glass column packed with XAD-4 resin to the gas sampling port of a high-volume air sampler equipped with a filter. When the upper and bottom layers of the column were packed with 64 g and 32 g of XAD-4 resin, respectively, all PAHs and NPAHs in the gas phase were quantitatively collected in the XAD-4 resin column without any break through, while PAHs and NPAHs in the particle phase were collected on the filter. We collected air samples at suburban and downtown Kanazawa by using the proposed sampler. It was found that about 95% of 2-3 ring PAHs and more than 99% of 2-ring NPAHs existed chiefly in the gas phase, that 4-ring PAHs such as fluoranthene (FR) and pyrene (Pyr) and 3-ring NPAHs were in both the gas and particle phases and that the other PAHs and NPAHs having 4-rings or more except for FR and Pyr were almost completely in the particle phase. Our data also indicated that the adsorption of NPAHs to the particle phase in the atmosphere is controlled by the same mechanism as that of PAHs.

Atmospheric Pollution and Its Countermeasure in East Asia from the Viewpoint of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

The East Asia countries including Japan, China, Korea and Russia have been undergoing a rapid increase of economic and industrial development. However, large amounts of pollutants are released into the air and water. The main energy source, economic stage and lifestale are different in the above four countries and these differences cause the current diverse situation of atmospheric and water pollution in East Asia. This view describes the present stage of atmospheric pollution and countermeasures in East Asia including the author’s recent research results concerning polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Absorption of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by biomembrane models: Effect of the medium lipophilicity

To demonstrate the relationship between the structure of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their effect on biomembranes, we have investigated the influence of three structurally different nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 2-nitrofluorene, 2,7-dinitrofluorene and 3-nitrofluoranthene, on the thermotropic behavior of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine multilamellar vesicles, used as biomembrane models, by means of differential scanning calorimetry. The obtained results indicate that the studied nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons affected the thermotropic behavior of multilamellar vesicles to various extents, modifying the pretransition and the main phase transition peaks and shifting them to lower temperatures. The effect of the aqueous and lipophilic medium on the absorption process of these compounds by the biomembrane models has been also investigated revealing that the process is hindered by the aqueous medium but strongly allowed by the lipophilic medium.

Environmental Photochemistry of Nitro-PAHs: Direct Observation of Ultrafast Intersystem Crossing in 1-Nitropyrene

Femtosecond broadband transient absorption experiments of 1-nitropyrene, a nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon of environmental concern are presented in cyclohexane and hexane solutions. The transient absorption spectra show the presence of three species that are assigned to the Franck-Condon excited lowest singlet (S1) state, the structurally relaxed S1 state, and the lowest excited triplet state. The spectral changes at early times are interpreted in terms of conformational dynamics; primarily due to an ultrafast rotation of the nitro group in the S1 state. This excited state relaxation is followed by intersystem crossing with a time constant of 7 ps. CIS/6-31G(d,p) calculations predict planarization of the nitro-aromatic torsional angle as the major nuclear relaxation coordinate, from 32.8 degrees at the HF/6-31G(d,p) level of theory in the ground state (27.46 degrees at B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p)) to 0.07 degrees in the S1 state. Vertical excitation energies at the TDDFT/6-31++G(d,p) and TDDFT/IEFPCM/6-31++G(d,p) levels of theory predict a small energy gap (<0.12 eV) between the S1(pipi*) state and the third excited triplet state T3(npi*) in the gas phase and in cyclohexane, respectively. The small energy gap suggests a large spin-orbit coupling between the S1(pipi*) and T3(npi*) states, which explains the ultrafast intersystem crossing of 1-nitropyrene in nonpolar solvents.

Nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are inducers of mitotic homologous recombination in the wing-spot test of Drosophila melanogaster

In this study, the widespread environmental pollutants 1-nitronaphthalene (1NN), 1,5-dinitronaphthalene (1,5DNN), 2-nitrofluorene (2NF) and 9-nitroanthracene (9NA), were investigated for genotoxicity in the wing somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) of Drosophila – using the high bioactivation (HB) cross. Our in vivo experiments demonstrated that all compounds assessed induced genetic toxicity, causing increased incidence of homologous somatic recombination. 2NF, 9NA and 1NN mutant clone induction is almost exclusively related to somatic recombination, although 1,5DNN-clone induction depends on both mutagenic and recombinagenic events. 1NN has the highest recombinagenic activity (∼100%), followed by 2NF (∼77%), 9NA (∼75%) and 1,5DNN (33%). 1NN is the compound with the strongest genotoxicity, with 9NA being ∼40 times less potent than the former and 2NF and 1,5DNN ∼333 times less potent than 1NN. The evidence indicating that the major effect observed in this study is an increased frequency of mitotic recombination emphasizes another hazard that could be associated to NPAHs – the increment in homologous recombination (HR).

Computational study on dipole moment, polarizability and second hyperpolarizability of nitronaphthalenes

Geometries, dipole moments, polarizabilities and second-order hyperpolarizabilities of nitronaphthalene (NN) isomers and of structurally related reference compound nitrobenzene were studied using conventional ab initio (HF, MP2) and density functional theory (B3LYP, PBE0) methods in conjunction with cc-pVDZ, aug-cc-pVDZ, 6-31G∗ and 6-31+G∗ basis sets. Dynamic (hyper)polarizabilities were determined through the time-dependent-HF theory at the HF/6-31+G∗ level at the experimental laser radiation energies of 0.02385, 0.03457 and 0.04282 a.u. Vibrational contributions to the (hyper)polarizabilities were obtained within the double harmonic approximation. Nitronaphthalenes are prototypes of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs), potentially mutagenic environmental pollutants. Different pathways have been proposed to explain mutagenic activation of NPAHs, which mainly involve penetration and diffusion in the cell, intermolecular interactions with the active site of enzymes, reduction and/or oxidation reactions. Present calculations indicate that all the electric properties increase concordantly on passing from 1-NN to 2-NN isomer due to a stronger π-conjugative interaction between the nitro group and the aromatic system. These results are consistent with the mutagenic potency of these nitroaromatics, which upon going from 1-NN to 2-NN isomer increases by 2–4 times, suggesting that binding affinity to enzymes might be a critical step in the mechanisms of metabolic mutagenic activation.

Sorptive Behavior of Nitro-PAHs in Street Runoff and Their Potential as Indicators of Diesel Vehicle Exhaust Particles

This is the first report to reveal the particle-water distribution of nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) and to discuss their potential risks and utility as indicators of diesel vehicle exhaust particles (DEP). Time-series samples of runoff were collected from a highway, and NPAHs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to study their dynamic behavior. The concentrations of total NPAHs ranged from 11 to 73 ng/L in particulate phase (>0.7 mcirom) and from 2.3 to 4.9 ng/L in dissolved phase (<0.7 microm). Like their PAH analogs, most (81-97%) NPAHs were associated with particulate matter. The organic carbon-normalized in situ partition coefficients (Koc') of NPAHs observed in runoff events (10(5.8-6.3) for 2-nitrofluoranthene and 10(5.8-6.2) for 1-nitropyrene [1-NP]) were more than 1 order of magnitude higher than those expected from their Kow, indicating great affinity for particulate matter such as soot. Concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs adjusted by potency equivalency factors and induction equivalency factors showed that the potential risks of NPAHs were smaller than those of PAHs by a factor of more than a hundred for the particulate phase and morethan fourforthe dissolved phase. Comparison of concentrations and compositions of NPAHs and PAHs among runoff, DEP, gasoline vehicle exhaust particles, boiler exhaust particles, and aerosols suggested that the ratio of 1-NP to total PAHs (1-NP/PAH) is a useful indicator of DEP for source apportionment of PAHs among traffic-related sources. Source-apportionment of PAHs in the runoff by 1-NP/PAH and methylphenanthrene/phenanthrene ratios suggested that most PAHs in the runoff except the second flush peak were derived from DEP but that other pyrogenic sources contributed to the particles at the second flush and thus to the overall runoff particles.

PAH,NPAH,変異原性および活性酸素種生成能から見た北九州と鉄嶺の大気汚染比較

Airborne particulate matters contain many kinds of organic pollutants. Among them, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAH) and quinoid PAHs were reported to have several human health effects. We collected airborne particulates in Kitakyushu, Japan and Tieling, China in summer and winter, and analyzed the PAH and NPAH to evaluate the direct- and indirect-acting mutagenicities and generating activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs in Tieling were much higher than in Kitakyushu, with seasonal variations. The mutagenicity level was higher in winter while the ROS generation activity was higher in summer. These results suggest that concentrations of PAH and NPAH didn't correlate with mutagenicity and ROS generation activity. More studies are needed on the environmental behaviors of compounds other than PAHs and NPAHs, such as quinoid PAHs, and their biological activities.

Atmospheric Behaviors of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Nitropolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in East Asia

Hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) are mainly originated from imperfect combustion of fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal. The consumptions of not only petroleum but also coal have been increasing in the East Asian countries. This review describes the result of international collaboration research concerning characteristics and major contributors of atmospheric PAHs and NPAHs in cities in Japan, Korea, China and Russia. We collected airborne particulates in ten cities in the above countries and six PAHs and eleven NPAHs were determined by HPLC methods using fluorescence and chemiluminescence detections. The total PAH concentrations were much higher in Chinese cities (Fushun, Tieling, Shenyang and Beijing) than those in other cities (Vladivostok, Busan, Kanazawa, Kitakyushu, Sapporo and Tokyo). The total NPAH concentrations were also higher in Chinese cities than those in the other cities. The [NPAH]/[corresponding PAH] ratios are much larger in dieselengine exhaust particulates than those in coalburning particulates. The [1-nitropyrene]/[pyrene] ratio of airborne particulates was much smaller in the four Chinese cities, suggesting that coal combustion systems such as coal heaters were the main contributors. On the other hand, the ratios were larger in Korean and Japanese cities, suggesting the large contribution of diesel-engine vehicles.

Nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particulate matter in an urban area of a tropical region: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Urban air pollution in many cities of the developing world in Asia, particularly in Vietnam, is increasing significantly. Atmospheric particulate matter pollution is dangerous to the health of millions of people and is a particular concern. In this study, two nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs), 1-nitropyrene (1-NP) and 2-nitrofluoranthene (2-NF) and several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)—highly carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds—were quantified in particulate matter (PM) collected at three ambient air sites (VNU, ITTE and DOSTE) in an urban area of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, between January 2005 and March 2006. The DOSTE site was close to ground level on a street with a high traffic density. 2-NF was more abundant than 1-NP at all sampling sites. Concentrations of 1-NP and PAHs at the traffic site (DOSTE) were higher than those at the other sites (VNU and ITTE). The daytime/nighttime distribution of 2-NF and the 2-NF/1-NP ratios were used to evaluate the gas-phase formation of 2-NF and its formation route. The average ratios of 2-NF/1-NP at the VNU and ITTE sites were much higher than those at the DOSTE site, suggesting that the gas-phase reactions are an important source of 2-NF in the ambient air. The higher nighttime concentration of 2-NF observed at the VNU and ITTE sites and the converse result observed for the traffic site indicates that an NO 3 radical-initiated reaction is the dominant route for 2-NF formation in ambient air, while the majority of 2-NF at the traffic site may be attributed to OH radical-initiated reactions.

Particulate Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Their Nitrated Derivatives in Three Cities in Liaoning Province, China

Airborne particulates were collected in nine size fractions by using Andersen low-volume air samplers in the cities of Shenyang, Fushun, and Tieling, Liaoning Province, in northeast China, during the period from July 2001 through December 2003. Nine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and seven nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) in the airborne particulates were determined. The mean concentrations of the sums of the nine PAHs and seven NPAHs were highest in Fushun, which is an industrial city, and lowest in Shenyang, which is a commercial city, although the consumption of petroleum and coal were largest in Shenyang. The nine fractions were grouped into three groups: > 7 μ m, 2.1–7 μ m and < 2.1 μ m. In each city, more than 50% of the total PAHs and total NPAHs were found in the fine particulate fraction (< 2.1 μ m). In each city, all PAHs and all NPAHs were clearly higher in winter than in summer. The concentration ratio of 1-nitropyrene to pyrene, which is a suitable indicator to identify diesel engine and coal combustion as proposed by our previous study, showed that the major contributors of PAHs and NPAHs in the airborne particulates were coal-combustion systems both in summer and winter in Fushun and Tieling. In Shenyang, atmospheric PAHs and NPAHs also seemed to be affected by coal combustion systems in winter, whereas gasoline engine vehicles seemed to be a major contributor in summer by the larger concentration ratio of 1-nitropyrene to pyrene. Cluster analysis and other diagnostic ratios such as benz[a]anthracene to chrysene, benzo[ghi]perylene to benzo[a]pyrene supported these results.

Respiratory Exposure to Chemicals and Human Health

Many hazardous chemicals are absorbed into human body through respiration and have effects on human health. The 21st Century COE (center of excellence) "Environmental Monitoring and Prediction of Long- and Short-term Dynamics of Pan-Japan Sea Area--Construction of Monitoring Network and Assessment of Human Effects" (Leader: Kazuichi Hayakawa, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University) concentrates on atmospheric pollution caused by human activities occurred in countries, Japan, China, Korea and Russia, surrounding Pan-Japan Sea as one of major projects. My talk focuses on atmospheric pollution caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (NPAH), which clearly exists in this area, and demonstrates the following aspects concerning this issue: 1) The 21st Century "Environmental Monitoring and Prediction of Long- and Short-term Dynamics of Pan-Japan Sea Area--Construction of Monitoring Network and Assessment of Human Effects," 2) Importance of PAH and NPAH as hazardous pollutants emitted from combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, 3) Current status of atmospheric pollution of PAH and NPAH of Pan-Japan Sea Area, focusing on coal combustion systems such as heating in China and diesel-engine automobiles in Japan, and 4) Health effects of PAH and NPAH such as lung cancer and endocrine disruption.