Anthracene
Chemical Groups: Organic, Polyaromatic compounds, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Also Known As: PAHs
CASRN: 120-12-7
Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life
Freshwater
Short Term Concentration (µg/L) No data
Long Term Concentration (µg/L) 0.012
Interim guideline.
Date 1999
Marine
Short Term Concentration (µg/L) No data
Long Term Concentration (µg/L) Insufficient data
Date 1999
Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Agriculture
Irrigation
Concentration (µg/L) No data
Date No data
Livestock
Concentration (µg/L) No data
Date No data
Sediment Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life
Freshwater
Concentration (µg/kg dry weight) ISQG 46.9
Provisional: adoption of marine ISQG
Concentration (µg/kg dry weight) PEL 245
Provisional: adoption of marine PEL
Date 1999
Marine
Concentration (µg/kg dry weight) ISQG 46.9
| Guideline | % ≤ ISQG | ISQG < % < PEL | % ≥ PEL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) | |||
| Acenaphthene | 8 | 29 | 57 |
| Acenaphthylene | 7 | 14 | 51 |
| Anthracene | 9 | 20 | 75 |
| Benz(a)anthracene | 9 | 16 | 78 |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | 8 | 22 | 71 |
| Chrysene | 9 | 19 | 72 |
| Dibenz(a,h)anthracene | 16 | 12 | 65 |
| Fluoranthene | 10 | 20 | 80 |
| Fluorene | 12 | 20 | 70 |
| 2-Methylnaphthalene | 0 | 23 | 82 |
| Naphthalene | 3 | 19 | 71 |
| Phenanthrene | 8 | 23 | 78 |
| Pyrene | 7 | 19 | 83 |
Concentration (µg/kg dry weight) PEL 245
| Guideline | % ≤ ISQG | ISQG < % < PEL | % ≥ PEL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) | |||
| Acenaphthene | 8 | 29 | 57 |
| Acenaphthylene | 7 | 14 | 51 |
| Anthracene | 9 | 20 | 75 |
| Benz(a)anthracene | 9 | 16 | 78 |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | 8 | 22 | 71 |
| Chrysene | 9 | 19 | 72 |
| Dibenz(a,h)anthracene | 16 | 12 | 65 |
| Fluoranthene | 10 | 20 | 80 |
| Fluorene | 12 | 20 | 70 |
| 2-Methylnaphthalene | 0 | 23 | 82 |
| Naphthalene | 3 | 19 | 71 |
| Phenanthrene | 8 | 23 | 78 |
| Pyrene | 7 | 19 | 83 |
Date 1999
Soil Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Environmental and Human Health
Concentration (mg/kg dry weight) Agricultural Consult Factsheet
Consult the 2010 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons factsheet, or the 2010 PAH Scientific Supporting Document for guidance.
Concentration (mg/kg dry weight) Residential/ parkland Consult Factsheet
Consult the 2010 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons factsheet, or the 2010 PAH Scientific Supporting Document for guidance.
Concentration (mg/kg dry weight) Commercial Consult Factsheet
Consult the 2010 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons factsheet, or the 2010 PAH Scientific Supporting Document for guidance.
Concentration (mg/kg dry weight) Industrial Consult Factsheet
Consult the 2010 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons factsheet, or the 2010 PAH Scientific Supporting Document for guidance.
Date 2010
Tissue Residue Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Widlife Consumer of Aquatic Biota
Concentration (µg/L) No data
Date No data
Groundwater Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Environmental and Human Health
(Coarse Soil) Concentration (mg/L) - Agricultural/Residential 0.000012
| Land Use and Soil Texture | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural/Residential | Commercial/Industrial | |||
| Coarse | Fine | Coarse | Fine | |
| Guideline (provisional*) | 0.000012 | 0.0034 | 0.000012 | 0.0034 |
| Human health guidelines | ||||
| Protection of indoor air quality (basement) | ND | ND | -- | -- |
| Protection of indoor air quality (slab on grade) | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| Protection of potable water | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Environmental health guidelines | ||||
| Protection of freshwater life | 0.000012 | 0.0034 | 0.000012 | 0.0034 |
| Protection of marine life | NC | NC | NC | NC |
| Protection of livestock watering | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Protection of irrigation water | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Groundwater contact by soil-dependent organisms | 0.025ES | 0.025ES | 0.025ES | 0.025ES |
| Management considerations | ||||
| Water solubility (10%) † ¶¶ | 0.0045 | 0.0045 | 0.0045 | 0.0045 |
Notes: NC = not calculated (due to insufficient data); NA = not available (no CCME or Health Canada benchmarks are available); ND = not determined (not applicable to substance, see Section 2.0 of CCME [2026]); -- = the pathway is not considered for the selected land use.
Guidelines are based on soil and water quality guidelines/benchmarks current up to February 1, 2024.
* Provisional guideline. Protection of potable water and protection of aquatic life (freshwater and marine) are considered to be required exposure pathways; if any of these guidelines are missing, the final guideline is considered to be provisional. Missing pathways should be addressed on a site-specific basis.
ES: Exceedance of 10% aqueous solubility; a separate phase may potentially be present. The presence of a free-phase liquid may invalidate guideline values for some pathways. Consult Section 1.3.3 of CCME (2026) for further information.
† This management limit is an alert to the potential presence of upstream sources of free-phase liquid. It is based on single substance contamination and may not be applicable to mixtures. Please consult Section 1.3.3 of CCME (2026) for further information. A value of 50% water solubility is used for a substance expected to form a separate phase less dense than water; a value of 10% water solubility is used for a substance expected to form a separate phase denser than water. Consult the jurisdictional authority for guidance if the management limit is exceeded.
¶¶ This substance is often found as part of a mixture; the management limit may not apply. Please consult Section 1.3.3 of CCME (2026) for further information.
(Coarse Soil) Concentration (mg/L) - Commercial/Industrial 0.000012
| Land Use and Soil Texture | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural/Residential | Commercial/Industrial | |||
| Coarse | Fine | Coarse | Fine | |
| Guideline (provisional*) | 0.000012 | 0.0034 | 0.000012 | 0.0034 |
| Human health guidelines | ||||
| Protection of indoor air quality (basement) | ND | ND | -- | -- |
| Protection of indoor air quality (slab on grade) | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| Protection of potable water | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Environmental health guidelines | ||||
| Protection of freshwater life | 0.000012 | 0.0034 | 0.000012 | 0.0034 |
| Protection of marine life | NC | NC | NC | NC |
| Protection of livestock watering | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Protection of irrigation water | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Groundwater contact by soil-dependent organisms | 0.025ES | 0.025ES | 0.025ES | 0.025ES |
| Management considerations | ||||
| Water solubility (10%) † ¶¶ | 0.0045 | 0.0045 | 0.0045 | 0.0045 |
Notes: NC = not calculated (due to insufficient data); NA = not available (no CCME or Health Canada benchmarks are available); ND = not determined (not applicable to substance, see Section 2.0 of CCME [2026]); -- = the pathway is not considered for the selected land use.
Guidelines are based on soil and water quality guidelines/benchmarks current up to February 1, 2024.
* Provisional guideline. Protection of potable water and protection of aquatic life (freshwater and marine) are considered to be required exposure pathways; if any of these guidelines are missing, the final guideline is considered to be provisional. Missing pathways should be addressed on a site-specific basis.
ES: Exceedance of 10% aqueous solubility; a separate phase may potentially be present. The presence of a free-phase liquid may invalidate guideline values for some pathways. Consult Section 1.3.3 of CCME (2026) for further information.
† This management limit is an alert to the potential presence of upstream sources of free-phase liquid. It is based on single substance contamination and may not be applicable to mixtures. Please consult Section 1.3.3 of CCME (2026) for further information. A value of 50% water solubility is used for a substance expected to form a separate phase less dense than water; a value of 10% water solubility is used for a substance expected to form a separate phase denser than water. Consult the jurisdictional authority for guidance if the management limit is exceeded.
¶¶ This substance is often found as part of a mixture; the management limit may not apply. Please consult Section 1.3.3 of CCME (2026) for further information.
(Fine Soil) Concentration (mg/L) - Agricultural/Residential 0.0034
| Land Use and Soil Texture | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural/Residential | Commercial/Industrial | |||
| Coarse | Fine | Coarse | Fine | |
| Guideline (provisional*) | 0.000012 | 0.0034 | 0.000012 | 0.0034 |
| Human health guidelines | ||||
| Protection of indoor air quality (basement) | ND | ND | -- | -- |
| Protection of indoor air quality (slab on grade) | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| Protection of potable water | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Environmental health guidelines | ||||
| Protection of freshwater life | 0.000012 | 0.0034 | 0.000012 | 0.0034 |
| Protection of marine life | NC | NC | NC | NC |
| Protection of livestock watering | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Protection of irrigation water | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Groundwater contact by soil-dependent organisms | 0.025ES | 0.025ES | 0.025ES | 0.025ES |
| Management considerations | ||||
| Water solubility (10%) † ¶¶ | 0.0045 | 0.0045 | 0.0045 | 0.0045 |
Notes: NC = not calculated (due to insufficient data); NA = not available (no CCME or Health Canada benchmarks are available); ND = not determined (not applicable to substance, see Section 2.0 of CCME [2026]); -- = the pathway is not considered for the selected land use.
Guidelines are based on soil and water quality guidelines/benchmarks current up to February 1, 2024.
* Provisional guideline. Protection of potable water and protection of aquatic life (freshwater and marine) are considered to be required exposure pathways; if any of these guidelines are missing, the final guideline is considered to be provisional. Missing pathways should be addressed on a site-specific basis.
ES: Exceedance of 10% aqueous solubility; a separate phase may potentially be present. The presence of a free-phase liquid may invalidate guideline values for some pathways. Consult Section 1.3.3 of CCME (2026) for further information.
† This management limit is an alert to the potential presence of upstream sources of free-phase liquid. It is based on single substance contamination and may not be applicable to mixtures. Please consult Section 1.3.3 of CCME (2026) for further information. A value of 50% water solubility is used for a substance expected to form a separate phase less dense than water; a value of 10% water solubility is used for a substance expected to form a separate phase denser than water. Consult the jurisdictional authority for guidance if the management limit is exceeded.
¶¶ This substance is often found as part of a mixture; the management limit may not apply. Please consult Section 1.3.3 of CCME (2026) for further information.
(Fine Soil) Concentration (mg/L) - Commercial/Industrial 0.0034
| Land Use and Soil Texture | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural/Residential | Commercial/Industrial | |||
| Coarse | Fine | Coarse | Fine | |
| Guideline (provisional*) | 0.000012 | 0.0034 | 0.000012 | 0.0034 |
| Human health guidelines | ||||
| Protection of indoor air quality (basement) | ND | ND | -- | -- |
| Protection of indoor air quality (slab on grade) | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| Protection of potable water | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Environmental health guidelines | ||||
| Protection of freshwater life | 0.000012 | 0.0034 | 0.000012 | 0.0034 |
| Protection of marine life | NC | NC | NC | NC |
| Protection of livestock watering | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Protection of irrigation water | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Groundwater contact by soil-dependent organisms | 0.025ES | 0.025ES | 0.025ES | 0.025ES |
| Management considerations | ||||
| Water solubility (10%) † ¶¶ | 0.0045 | 0.0045 | 0.0045 | 0.0045 |
Notes: NC = not calculated (due to insufficient data); NA = not available (no CCME or Health Canada benchmarks are available); ND = not determined (not applicable to substance, see Section 2.0 of CCME [2026]); -- = the pathway is not considered for the selected land use.
Guidelines are based on soil and water quality guidelines/benchmarks current up to February 1, 2024.
* Provisional guideline. Protection of potable water and protection of aquatic life (freshwater and marine) are considered to be required exposure pathways; if any of these guidelines are missing, the final guideline is considered to be provisional. Missing pathways should be addressed on a site-specific basis.
ES: Exceedance of 10% aqueous solubility; a separate phase may potentially be present. The presence of a free-phase liquid may invalidate guideline values for some pathways. Consult Section 1.3.3 of CCME (2026) for further information.
† This management limit is an alert to the potential presence of upstream sources of free-phase liquid. It is based on single substance contamination and may not be applicable to mixtures. Please consult Section 1.3.3 of CCME (2026) for further information. A value of 50% water solubility is used for a substance expected to form a separate phase less dense than water; a value of 10% water solubility is used for a substance expected to form a separate phase denser than water. Consult the jurisdictional authority for guidance if the management limit is exceeded.
¶¶ This substance is often found as part of a mixture; the management limit may not apply. Please consult Section 1.3.3 of CCME (2026) for further information.
Date 2026
Resources
- Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines for Carcinogenic and Other Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Environmental and Human Health Effects (2010)
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) - Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life (1999)
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) - Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life (1999)
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 2010 - Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Environmental and Human Health
- Canadian Groundwater Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Environmental and Human Health (2026)
- Appendices C-F Canadian Groundwater Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Environmental and Human Health (2026)