Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the ambient air of suburban and industrial regions of central Taiwan

Abstract

The concentrations of gas-phase and particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured simultaneously at an industrial area (Taichung Industrial Park) and a suburban area (Tunghai University Campus) in Taichung, Taiwan. Twenty-four hours samplings for two consecutive days were performed between August and December 2002 at both sampling sites. Ambient air particle-bound PAHs were collected on quartz filters and gas-phase PAHs were collected on glass cartridges using a PUF Sampler, respectively. Both types of samples were extracted with a DCM/ n-hexane mixture (50/50, v/v) for 24 h, then the extracts were subjected to gas chromatography–mass spectrometric (GC–MS) analysis. Total PAHs concentrations at the Taichung Industrial Park (TIP) sampling site and the Tunghai University Campus (THUC) sampling site were found to be 1232.3 ± 963.6 and 609.8 ± 356.3 ng/m 3, respectively. Stationary combustion processes were mainly responsible for PAHs sources at the TIP sampling site, while traffic vehicle exhaust was the largest contributor for PAHs sources at the THUC sampling site.