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Glite Dictionary
benzopyrene

benzopyrene

1 9.5
A harmful chemical in smoke, coal tar, tobacco, and grilled food that can cause cancer
  • noun
  • /ˌbɛnzoʊˈpaɪriːn/
  • Specialized
: benzopireno
  • Studies have shown that exposure to benzopyrene in tobacco smoke significantly increases the risk of lung cancer.
  • benzopyrene in cigarette

Examples

  • One citizen was quoted as saying, "It's absolutely incredible when you hear public health officials dismiss levels of arsenic that are 18 times higher than the guidelines, naphthalene levels up to 8.9 times higher, and molybdenum and benzopyrene levels that are six times the limit" (MacInnis, 1998, p. 1).

    Academic text (2002)

  • The environmental report indicated high levels of benzopyrene in the soil near industrial sites due to coal tar contamination.

  • Grilling meat at high temperatures can lead to the formation of benzopyrene, which is known to be harmful to health.

Surface Forms

benzopyrene singular
benzopyrenes plural

Morphology

benzopyrene = pyrene (opaque) = benzo + pyrene

Although formed from the combining form 'benzo-' + 'pyrene', this is technical chemical nomenclature unlikely to be interpretable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Benzopyrene combines benzo- (from benzene, a chemical often found in tar and smoke) and pyrene (from a word meaning 'fire'). So the name points to a substance made when things burn, which helps explain why benzopyrene is found in smoke, coal tar, and grilled foods and why it is harmful.