Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons associated with particulates in Pittsburgh air.

Abstract

Pittsburgh air was sampled continuously at one site for 886 hrs./sample at 45 cfm with a high volume sampler equipped with a horizontal elutriator as a first stage of separation, and an MSA 1106B glass fiber filter as a final particulate collection stage. The horizontal elutriator was designed to simulate the particulate deposition characteristics of the human respiratory tract. Samples were collected during the period June 1964 to February 1965. Respirable and non-respirable particulate samples were analyzed for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon content by a new technique which utilized dual column, flame ionization gas chromatography. It was possible to quantitatively analyze a concentrated benzene extract of the particulate sample for the following individual components: 1, 2 benzanthracene; chrysene; pyrene; 3,4 benzofloranthene; 1, 12 benzoperylene. It was not possible to distinguish between 3,4 benzopyrene, 1,2 benzopyrene and perylene; only the total quantity of these compounds present was detected. This analytical technique is comparable in sensitivity to formerly reported, more time-consuming methods and is very rapid, requiring less than one hour to perform after benzene extraction. Amounts of the above compounds associated with the two particulate fractions collected are reported and discussed.