Methodological aspects of measuring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the urban atmosphere

Abstract

The environmental importance of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is briefly discussed. A sampling regime, using filters and Tenax TA adsorbent, is outlined which enables the collection of 18 PAH in air, from both the particulate and gaseous phases. An extraction and clean up process is described, which prepares the sample for reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) by transferring the analyte to acetonitrile. Tests on the overall methodology indicate that the procedure provides a sensitive and accurate method for assessing levels of atmospheric PAH. An examination of the differing sampling efficiency between impaction and filtration was undertaken, which indicated the effect of sampling duration and temperature on sample integrity. Evidence of the impact of other gaseous pollutants on measured PAH concentrations was highlighted by stepwise multiple regression.