Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Pollutants in the Asian Atmosphere During 2001 to 2009

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to observe the concentration variation for atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Asian countries during the years of 2001 to 2009. The results show that the order of the average PAH concentration for Flu, Ant, FL, and Chr in total suspended particles (TSP) was Hong Kong > China > Taiwan > Korea. The order of the average PAH concentration for Pyr, BaA, BbFL, and BaP in TSP was China > Hong Kong > Taiwan > Korea. In addition, the order of the average PAH concentration for AcPY (Acenaphylene) and AcP (Aceapthene) in TSP was Hong Kong > Taiwan > China for Asian countries during the same time period. Moreover, the order of the average PAH species concentration of Ant (Anthracene) in particulate matter <10μ(PM10) was Hong Kong > China > Malaysia. However, the order of the average PAH concentration for BaA (Benzo[a]anthracene) and BaP (Benzo[a]pyrene) in PM10 was India > Hong Kong > China > Malaysia. In addition, the order of the average PAH species concentration of BbFL in PM10 was India > Hong Kong > China > Malaysia for Asian countries during the years of 2003 to 2009. Finally, the order of the average PAH concentration for BaA in PM2.5 was Taiwan > Hong Kong > Vietnam > Japan. However, the order of the average PAH concentration for BbFL (Benzo[b]fluoranthene) in fine particle particulate matter (PM2.5) was Hong Kong > Vietnam > Japan > Taiwan. In addition, the order of the average PAH species concentration of BaP in PM2.5, was Hong Kong > Taiwan > Vietnam > Japan for Asian countries during years of 2003 to 2007.