Partitioning of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Hair-Air System

Abstract

Partitioning behavior of PAHs including NAP, FLO, PHE, and PYR was investigated. A plot of experimental K HA against log K OW gives a good linear relationship. A somewhat similar slope and intercept was obtained for the hair-air system using PCB values from the literature. In comparison to K VA values from the literature, lower values for K VA were obtained. This may be attributed from differences in species and degradability across biota groups. K HLA also exhibits good linear relationships with K OA and other physical chemical properties such as MW. The lipid fraction has a strong influence on bioconcentration in hair from the air and water. However, hair treatments, hair length, growth dilution, photodegradation, biodegradation, temperature, seasonal variations, wet and dry depositions could alter the degree of bioconcentration of PAHs in the hair.