Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon in Airborne Particulate Matter Samples by Gas Chromatography in Combination with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the family of organic contaminations, have been shown to have negative effects on human health. However, until now, the comprehension on occurrence, distribution, and risk assessment of human exposure to PAHs has been limited in Vietnam. In this work, a capillary gas chromatography coupled with electron impact ionization tandem mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS/MS) has been introduced for analysis of 16 PAHs in some particulate matter samples. PAHs have been separated on the TG 5 ms capillary gas chromatographic column and detected by tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The PAHs in the particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10) samples were extracted by ultrasonic-assisted liquid extraction and cleaned up by an acidic silica gel solid phase extraction. The linearity range of all analyzed PAHs was from 5 to 2000 ng mL−1 with R2 ≥0.9990. Limit of detection (LOD) of PAHs in particulate matter sample was from 0.001 ng m−3 (Br-Naph) to 0.276 ng m−3 (Fln). The recovery of PAHs was investigated by international proficiency testing samples. The recoveries of PAHs in proficiency testing sample ranged from 79.3% (Chr) to 109.8% (IcdP). The in-house validated GC-EI-MS/MS method was then applied to analysis of some particulate matter samples that were collected in the Hanoi areas. The total concentrations of PAHs in several brands of samples collected from Hanoi were found in the range of 226.3 ng m−3–706.43 ng m−3. Among the studied compounds, naphthalene was found at high frequency and ranged from 106.5 ng m−3 to 631.1 ng m−3. The main distribution of the PAHs in particulate matter samples was two-ring and three-ring compounds.

Contemporary Research Progress on the Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

“…Nam Vu-Duc et al [ 50 ] introduced a capillary gas chromatography coupled with electron impact ionization tandem mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS/MS) for the analysis of 16 PAHs in some particulate matter samples with the PAHs concentration between PM 2.5 and PM 10. The samples were extracted by ultrasonic-assisted liquid extraction and cleaned up by an acidic silica gel solid phase extraction.…”

Quantitative analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using high‐performance liquid chromatography‐photodiode array‐high‐resolution mass spectrometric detection platform coupled to electrospray and atmospheric pressure photoionization sources

“…30 MS has the highest selectivity and sensitivity (compared to FID, FL and UV-Vis) and also provides structural information. [30][31][32] Hence, applications of various MS platforms became most common in PAH detection. GC-MS can detect PAHs in ppb levels, 33 thus, it has been used widely for quantification of PAHs.…”

“…acenaphtylene, naphthalene, acenaphthene and fluorine have very low FL signal, 18 and FL is also affected by background interferences 30 . MS has the highest selectivity and sensitivity (compared to FID, FL and UV–Vis) and also provides structural information 30–32 . Hence, applications of various MS platforms became most common in PAH detection.…”

Industrial Source Contributions and Health Risk Assessment of Fine Particle-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) during Spring and Late Summer in the Baoshan Area, Shanghai

“…In addition, a Combustion-Derived PAHs group (COMPAHs) has been classified to include FL, PYR, BaA, CHR, BbF, BkF, BaP, IcdP, and BghiP [1,40]. COMPAHs/TPAHs are characteristic PAH diagnostic parameters for producing the stationary sources.…”

“…Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are extensive organic contaminants comprising two or more benzene rings. They are widespread environmental contaminants generated as a result of the incomplete combustion of organic materials, such as fossil fuels [1][2][3]. Based on an ambient temperature, the nature of aerosol, and species of PAH, the PAHs in the atmosphere exist in the vapor phase or absorbed into ambient particles.…”