Determination of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons in the Gas Phase of Air

Abstract

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were isolated from the gas phase of air by sorption on the Separon CHN polymeric sorbent and quantitated by capillary gas chromatography using flame ionization detection. The conditions for PAH desorption from the sorbent were examined. Hexane, giving desorption recoveries of 90-100%, was the most efficient eluent. The recovery was found independent of the amount of PAH sorbed over a wide region. Analyte losses associated with the removal of eluent were investigated. Based on the experimental results, a procedure was developed for the determination of PAH in the gaseous phase of air and tested on field samples. When 5 m3 volumes of air are sampled, the limits of determination of the individual PAH are from 10 to 20 ng/m3.