1982 Volume 17 Issue 2 Pages 117-125
A simple and rapid method for analysing polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in airborne particulates was devised.
This method consists of following 3 procedures; ultrasonic extraction of PAHs from airborne particulates, separation of PAHs into their components by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and identification and determination of PAHs by spectrofluorometry. By this method, 3 PAHs, that is benzo-(a) pyrene (BaP), benzo (k) fluoranthene (BkF) and benzo (ghi) perylene (BghiP) in airborne particles can analysed routinely.
PAHs in airborne particles were extracted into benzene by ultrasonic extraction method. The extracted solution was dried under a reduced pressure at 40°C and the residue was dissolved in a small amount of dimethylsulfoxide. 3 PAHs stated above were analysed HPLC under the following condition. That is, column used was Finesil-C18-10 (4. 6 mm i. d.×250 mm). Mobile phase was acetonitrile-water mixture (80: 20, v/v) and flow rate 2.0ml/min. Column temperature was maintained at 5°C, and the excitation and emission wavelengths of the detector was set at 370 nm and 410 nm, respectively. It was proved that this method could determine accurately the 3 PAHs in airborne particles in about 30 min.
This method was applied to the analysis of 3 PAHs in airborne particles in Tokyo air. About 90% or more of the 3 PAHs are in the respirable particles. The concentrations of these PAHs are larger in the winter than in the summer, and also larger in the nighttime than in the daytime.
