Retrospective Analyses of Atmospheric Poly cyclic and Nitropolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in an Industrial Area of a Western Site of Japan

Abstract

Thirteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and four nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) on the surfaces of airborne particulates, which were collected at an industrial area of a western site of Japan during periods from 1976 to 1998, were retrospectively analyzed. PAHs and NPAHs were extracted from airborne particulates using hexane with ultrasonication, and then analyzed by HPLC systems with fluorescence detection and chemiluminescence detection, respectively. The total concentrations (mean ± SD, n = 34) were 15.54 ± 21.24 ng/m 3 for PAHs and 5.85 ± 8.16 pg/m 3 for NPAHs. The concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs were found to be highest during the period between 1979 and 1982, and then reduced. The annual concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs were highly correlated with those of air pollutants from motor vehicle origin, such as carbon monoxide, suspended particulates and non-methane hydrocarbons. The results suggested that motor vehicle emissions were one of the predominant sources of atmospheric PAHs and NPAHs.

Evaluation of Organic Environmental Pollutants Detected in Human Milk

“…PAHs are widely distributed in the environment due to their release from motor vehicles and various industrial sources. 48) It has been known that a large number of PAHs have carcinogenic and/or mutagenic properties. 49) Though PAHs are largely excreted in urine or feces as hydroxylated metabolites, high membered rings PAHs may be transferred to milk owing to their lipophilicity.…”