Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemicals that are made up of atoms like carbon and hydrogen. They can be found in things like wood smoke, car exhaust, and tar.

Imagine building a house with blocks. PAHs are kind of like block houses that are made up of a lot of smaller blocks all stuck together. Instead of building one big block house, they build lots of smaller ones and stick them all together.

PAHs can be harmful to your health, especially if you breathe in a lot of them. They have been linked to cancer and other health problems.

Scientists study PAHs to learn more about the environment. For example, they might look at the types of PAHs in the air to see how much pollution there is in a certain area. They also try to find ways to clean up PAHs and make the environment a safer place for everyone.