Abstract. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) and their oxygenated derivatives occur in particles or in the vapour phase in the atmosphere. Some of these compounds, particularly the PAH, are known as strong carcinogens and/or mutagens. Emissions from diesel engines are an important source of these contaminants in urban air. In this work, the chemical composition of diesel particles was studied from two different perspectives: the gaz/particule partitioning and the different size fractions of these compounds. A dilution tunnel, with a diesel car connected, was built for the purpose of this study. Measurements were carried out near a motorway in Paris for comparison to the tunnel test results. The results show, firstly, that the gaseous phase of the PAH is predominant (up to 20 times) with respect to the particulate phase, and that the PAH and their derivatives are mainly adsorbed in the very fine particulate fraction (for particle size under 0.4 urn). Secondly, the oxygenated PAH, neglected in the majority of previous studies, are predominant with respect to the PAH.

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