Sampling and Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) and Oxygenated PAH in Diesel Exhaust and Ambient Air

Abstract

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.

Evaluation of a Denuder-MOUDI-PUF Sampling System to Measure the Size Distribution of Semi-Volatile Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Atmosphere

“…and deposition efficiency in the human respiratory system. Size distributions of PAHs with log [p • L] < −2 have been widely reported in the literature for samples collected in roadway tunnels and ambient air using cascade and low pressure impactors (Venkataraman and Friedlander 1994a;Allen et al 1996;Schnelle et al 1996;Miguel et al 1998;Marr et al 1999;Leotz-Gartziandia et al 2000;Schnelle-Kreis et al 2001). However, size distribution data for PAHs found predominantly in the gas phase (e.g., naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and anthracene) are not available.…”

Development of an analytical method for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives

“…The fractionation enables decrease of the detection limits to a level necessary for environmental sample analysis. The clean-up technique for separation of PAHs from their derivatives is shown in literature [28,30]. Unfortunately, it is not shown separation PAHs from the fraction contains alkanes that can interfere when gas chromatography is used as a following separation system.…”

“…This technique is used in two forms. The first is open-column liquid chromatography [26][27][28][29][30] or high-performance liquid chromatography [2,11,[31][32][33] with silica gel or aluminium oxide as a stationary phase. The second variant is solid-phase extraction (SPE) with silica gel or modified silica gel [34][35][36][37].…”

Particulate Matter, Gas‐Phase and Particle‐Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in an Urban Environment Heavily Impacted by Vehicular Traffic (Bologna, Italy).

“…Here we present a study relative to the air -PM 10 partitioning of PAHs in Bologna downtown. Urban traffic, in particular Diesel engine exhaust, 8,9 is the major source of particles and PAHs in Bologna. 10 This study is part of an interdisciplinary air quality monitoring program in the city of Bologna, strictly related to the heavy epidemiological outcomes which are affecting human health in this urban environment, 10 as recently outlined both by a WHO study in the 8 most populated Italian cities 11 and by a regional ARPA report.…”