UVB-induced apoptosis and DNA damaging potential of chrysene via reactive oxygen species in human keratinocytes

► Chrysene acts as a photosensitizer in the presence of UVB irradiation. ► Chrysene produced reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, apoptosis and DNA damage in human skin epidermal cell line. ► Chrysene may be phototoxic as well as photogenotoxic under UVB irradiation.