What is phenanthrenequinone?

Phenanthrenequinone usually refers to 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (9, 10-PQ), it is a quinone molecule found in air pollution abundantly in the diesel exhaust particles (DEP). This compound has studied extensively and has been shown to develop cytotoxic effects both in vitro and in vivo. 9, 10-PQ has been proposed to play a critical role in the development of cytotoxicity via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through redox cycling.