Efficient and stable radiolabeling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon assemblies: in vivo imaging of diesel exhaust particulates in mice.

As a robust radioanalytical method for tracking carbonaceous particulates in vivo, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from diesel exhaust were labeled with a radioactive-iodine-tagged pyrene analogue. Single-photon emission computed tomography and biodistribution studies showed high uptake and slow clearance of this matter in the respiratory system, which may underlie its severe toxicity.