Tetrols are the products obtained from the hydrolysis of benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts. The fluorescence and phosphorescence lifetimes and quantum yields were obtained for the tetrols both at room temperature and at low temperature with 10% alpha-CD/NaCl and in solutions. Relatively large changes in the solution fluorescence lifetimes of the tetrols were observed from room temperature to 77 K. However, very small changes were observed for the fluorescence and phosphorescence lifetimes of the tetrols on 10% alpha-CD/NaCl from room temperature to 93 K. Several photophysical rate constants and quantum yields for various photophysical processes were calculated. Comparisons were made between the room-temperature and low-temperature photophysical parameters. Also, several approaches for characterizing and identifying the tetrols by their solid-matrix luminescence properties and solution fluorescence properties were considered.