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The composition varies depending upon the hydrocarbon burned. However, by definition, soot is the black solid or tarry substance produced during hydrocarbon combustion. Analysis has revealed the presence of some smaller molecular weight liquid hydrocarbons such as C8 compounds to C20 but for the most part more stable polyaromatic hydrocarbons are formed. These polycyclics have been implicated in cancer. They are known carcinogens.

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16y ago

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