Most of the PAH contained in wood
smoke have a molecular weight below 216
Da, and they are regarded as noncarcinogenic.
However, smoke also contains highly
carcinogenic or mutagenic PAH (Table 12.1 ).
Very mutagenic and carcinogenic is benzo(a)
pyrene (BaP). It has a molecular weight of
252 Da and has been chosen as the indicator
PAH, representing the other carcinogenic
hydrocarbons in wood smoke and smoked
products. By applying the principle of toxic
equivalency factors (TEF), it is possible to
estimate the total equivalent exposure (TEQ)
to PAHs in various smoked meat products