PAH compounds

PAH compounds, or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are created through incomplete combustion. The target value for the PAH compound benzo(a)pyrene (1 ng/m³) may be exceeded in some places in the detached housing areas of the Helsinki metropolitan area where a lot of wood is burned. The effect of traffic emissions on the concentrations is quite small. Many PAH compounds, such as benzo(a)pyrene, increase the risk of cancer.

In the Helsinki metropolitan area, PAH compounds are monitored in Kallio and in detached housing area in Vartiokylä. In 2024 PAH combounds are monitored also in a detached house areas in Helsinki in Tapanila, in Espoo in Lintuvaara and in Vantaa in Päiväkumpu.

In 2023 PAH combounds were monitored in a detached house area in Helsinki in Tapanila and Helsinki city center in Mäkelänkatu. In 2022 PAH combounds were monitored in Tikkurila and in a detached house area in Tapanila. In 2021 PAH combounds were monitored in Luukki and in a detached house area in Ruskeasanta. In 2020 PAH combounds were monitored in a detached house areas in Pirkkola and in Ylästö.

Elsewhere in Uusimaa, PAH compounds are monitored in 2024 in a detached house area in Karkkila. Previously PAH compounds have been monitored in 2020 in a detached house area in Tuusula, 2021 in a detached house area in Lohja, 2022 in a detached house area in Old Porvoo and in 2023 in a detached house area in Raasepori.

You can examine the monthly concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene in the Helsinki metropolitan area and elsewhere in Uusimaa from the graph below. The results are updated every three months. Concentrations are high when the annual average is more than 1 nanogram per cubic metre of air (ng/m³).