PAHS test
Introduction to PAHs
PAHS refers to a class of organic compounds with two or more benzene rings. PAHs are hydrocarbons with more than two benzene rings in the molecule, including more than 150 compounds such as naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, and pyrene. Some PAHs also contain nitrogen, sulfur, and cyclopentane. The PAHs that are carcinogenic are mostly four- to six-ring condensed ring compounds. The International Cancer Research Center (IARC) (1976) listed 94 compounds that are carcinogenic to experimental animals. Among them, 15 are PAHs. Since benzo[a]pyrene is the first environmental chemical carcinogen discovered and is highly carcinogenic, benzo[a]pyrene is often used as a representative of PAHs, accounting for 1%-20% of all carcinogenic PAHs.

The main harmful parts of PAHs to the human body are the respiratory tract and skin. People who are in an environment polluted by PAHs for a long time may cause acute or chronic damage. Common symptoms include solar dermatitis, acne dermatitis, folliculitis and warts.

Related regulations
So far, the following have been determined by written laws or decrees in various countries and regions: Annex 17 of REACH regulations; Germany: GS certification, LFGB; US: EPA; China: GB, GB/T, GB/Z.

European Union

On December 7, 2013, (EU) No1272/2013 was issued to amend the restriction requirements of REACH Annex XVII on PAHs, and expand the control scope of PAHs (Bap, Bep, BaA, CHR, BbFA, BjFA, BkFA, DBAhA) to consumer products. This requirement will take effect on December 27, 2015.

Germany
The mandatory control of PAHs by the German GS mark began on April 1, 2008. The German Technical Equipment and Consumer Products Committee (AtAV) requires that all GS-certified products must meet the relevant requirements for the 16 PAHs that the US EPA is concerned about.

In 2011, Germany issued ZEK01.4-08, which updated the testing requirements for PAHs, added controls on benzo[j]fluoranthene and benzo[e]pyrene, and increased the PAHs control list from 16 items to 18 items. ZEK01.4-08 came into effect on July 1, 2012. The German Product Safety Commission (AfPs) approved a new document on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for GS mark certification on August 4, 2014, which significantly revised the PAHs requirements. The new requirements will take effect on July 1, 2015, replacing the current PAHs requirements (ZEK01.4-08).

On December 7, 2013, (EU) No 1272/2013 was issued, which revised the restriction requirements of PAHs in Annex XVII of REACH and expanded the control scope of PAHs (Bap, Bep, BaA, CHR, BbFA, BjFA, BkFA, DBAhA) to consumer products. This requirement will take effect on December 27, 2015.

The mandatory control of PAHs by the German GS mark began on April 1, 2008. The German Technical Equipment and Consumer Goods Commission (AtAV) required that all GS-certified products must meet the relevant requirements for the 16 PAHs of concern to the US EPA.

In 2011, Germany issued ZEK01.4-08, which updated the testing requirements for PAHs, added the control of benzo[j]fluoranthene and benzo[e]pyrene, and increased the PAHs control list from 16 items to 18 items. ZEK01.4-08 took effect on July 1, 2012. The German Product Safety Commission (AfPs) adopted a new document on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for GS mark certification on August 4, 2014, which significantly revised the PAHs requirements. The new requirements will take effect from July 1, 2015, replacing the current PAHs requirements (ZEK01.4-08).

Materials where PAHs may be present
PAHs are commonly found in charcoal, petrochemical products, drugs, dyes, plastics, rubber, pesticides (artificial), lubricants, rust-proof oils, stripping agents, capacitor electrolytes, insecticides, fungicides, mosquito coils, smoking, gasoline retarder (artificial) and other incompletely burned organic compounds.
Testing process
1. Consultation---the applicant provides product information, pictures and descriptions
2. Quotation---based on the information provided by the applicant, the technical engineer will make an assessment, determine the items to be tested, and quote the applicant
3. The applicant accepts the quotation
4. The applicant fills in the test application form and submits it together with the test sample
5. Sample testing---the test will be carried out in accordance with the applicable standards
6. The laboratory issues a test report
7. The laboratory issues a certificate of compliance with the PAHS test