At a glance
| Chemical family | Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) — three-ring structure |
| CAS number | 120-12-7 |
| Classification | IARC Group 3 (not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans); EU SVHC candidate (PBT/vPvB concerns) |
| Where you encounter it | Coal tar, creosote-treated wood, combustion products (wood smoke, tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust), household dust |
| Sleep micro-environment relevance | Found in household dust as a marker of combustion-source PAH contamination. Not hazardous on its own but co-occurs with carcinogenic PAHs from the same sources |
Regulatory & certification status
| European Union | SVHC candidate (PBT/vPvB concerns). REACH Annex XVII Entry 50 restricts PAHs in consumer articles (rubber, plastics) to 1 mg/kg for 8 priority PAHs. Anthracene is not among the 8 restricted but is on the SVHC candidate list. Regulatory |
| United States | EPA Priority Pollutant. Listed under the Clean Water Act. Not specifically restricted in consumer products. Regulatory |
| Canada | CEPA Schedule 1 (toxic substance) as part of the PAH group. Regulatory |
| International | IARC Group 3 (not classifiable). OSPAR priority substance for marine protection. WHO indoor air quality guidelines do not set a specific limit. Regulatory |
What it is
Anthracene is a three-ring PAH consisting of three linearly fused benzene rings. It is one of the lighter PAHs and is abundant in coal tar, creosote, and combustion products. IARC classified anthracene as Group 3 (not classifiable) in 2010, meaning there is inadequate evidence of carcinogenicity in both humans and animals. Anthracene is not considered genotoxic and does not have the bay-region structural feature associated with carcinogenic activity in PAHs. However, it is of regulatory interest for environmental persistence — the EU identified it as a SVHC candidate due to PBT/vPvB properties.
Where it shows up in bedding
Anthracene is not used in bedding products. It enters the bedroom as a component of combustion-derived dust: fireplace or wood stove emissions, tobacco smoke residue (thirdhand smoke), and outdoor vehicle exhaust that infiltrates indoors. Creosote-treated wood structures near bedrooms can also contribute. While anthracene itself is not hazardous at the trace levels found in household dust, its presence is a marker of broader PAH contamination from sources that also deposit carcinogenic PAHs like benzo[a]pyrene.
Citations
- IARC (2010). Some Non-Heterocyclic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Some Related Exposures. IARC Monographs Vol. 92. Source Peer-reviewed
- ATSDR (1995). Toxicological Profile for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Source Regulatory
- ECHA. Anthracene — Substance Information. European Chemicals Agency. Source Regulatory
Frequently asked questions
Is anthracene carcinogenic?
No. IARC classifies anthracene as Group 3 (not classifiable as to carcinogenicity). It lacks the bay-region structural feature that makes some PAHs carcinogenic. However, anthracene is almost always found alongside more hazardous PAHs from the same combustion sources — so its detection in household dust indicates broader PAH contamination that may include carcinogenic compounds like benzo[a]pyrene.
Where does anthracene come from indoors?
The main indoor sources of anthracene are combustion products: fireplace and wood stove emissions, tobacco smoke, candle soot, and outdoor vehicle exhaust that infiltrates through ventilation. Creosote-treated wood near the home can also contribute. Reducing combustion sources and improving ventilation are the most effective ways to reduce indoor anthracene.
Related compounds
Embr is a sleep environment company researching and addressing the chemistry of the bedroom. Research and product development in progress.
Last reviewed 2026-07-07. If you find a factual error, contact us.