Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants occurring mostly as a result of fossil fuel combustion
and as by-products of industrial activities. Since many are known or suspected carcinogens and mutagens, exposure to
PAHs may represent a significant health risk to human populations, and therefore their fate in nature is of great
environmental concern. Microorganisms with the ability to degrade many PAHs have been described, and their mechanisms
of action have been studied.