Particulate Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Concentrations Research Articles

Atmospheric concentrations and air–soil gas exchange of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in remote, rural village and urban areas of Beijing–Tianjin region, North China

Forty passive air samplers were deployed to study the occurrence of gas and particulate phase PAHs in remote, rural village and urban areas of Beijing–Tianjin region, North China for four seasons (spring, summer, fall and winter) from 2007 to 2008. The influence of emissions on the spatial distribution pattern of air PAH concentrations was addressed. In addition, the air–soil gas exchange of PAHs was studied using fugacity calculations. The median gaseous and particulate phase PAH concentrations were 222 ng/m 3 and 114 ng/m 3, respectively, with a median total PAH concentration of 349 ng/m 3. Higher PAH concentrations were measured in winter than in other seasons. Air PAH concentrations measured at the rural villages and urban sites in the northern mountain region were significantly lower than those measured at sites in the southern plain during all seasons. However, there was no significant difference in PAH concentrations between the rural villages and urban sites in the northern and southern areas. This urban–rural PAH distribution pattern was related to the location of PAH emission sources and the population distribution. The location of PAH emission sources explained 56%–77% of the spatial variation in ambient air PAH concentrations. The annual median air–soil gas exchange flux of PAHs was 42.2 ng/m 2/day from soil to air. Among the 15 PAHs measured, acenaphthylene (ACY) and acenaphthene (ACE) contributed to more than half of the total exchange flux. Furthermore, the air–soil gas exchange fluxes of PAHs at the urban sites were higher than those at the remote and rural sites. In summer, more gaseous PAHs volatilized from soil to air because of higher temperatures and increased rainfall. However, in winter, more gaseous PAHs deposited from air to soil due to higher PAH emissions and lower temperatures. The soil TOC concentration had no significant influence on the air–soil gas exchange of PAHs.

Seasonal variations of sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to a northeastern urban city, China

Understanding the seasonal variations of sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air in urban region is important to the effective control of air pollution in the region. Based on a year round dataset (from August 2008 to July 2009), the sources of atmospheric PAHs in Harbin, a typical Chinese northeastern urban city, were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) and positive matrix factorization (PMF). The average total (gas plus particulate) PAH concentration varied from 6.3 ng m −3 to 340 ng m −3 with a mean of 100 ± 94 ng m −3, with higher concentrations in heating season than those in non-heating season. PCA and PMF identified similar source factors to atmospheric PAHs with obvious seasonal variation. The results obtained by PMF method indicated that the main sources were coal-fired boiler (39%), diesel engine (34%) and coal average (22%) in heating season and traffic emissions (59%), ground evaporation (18%) and coal average (17%) in non-heating season. Excellent correlation coefficients between predicted and measured concentrations of PAHs indicated that PMF was a useful model for source apportionment of PAHs in atmosphere.

Secondhand Smoke in Pennsylvania Casinos: A Study of Nonsmokers' Exposure, Dose, and Risk

I assessed air pollution, ventilation, and nonsmokers' risk from secondhand smoke (SHS) in Pennsylvania casinos exempted from a statewide smoke-free workplace law. I measured respirable suspended particles (RSPs), particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PPAHs), and carbon dioxide inside and outside casinos; measured changes in patrons' urine cotinine after casino visits; and assessed SHS impact on workers and patrons, using exposure-response models, air quality standards, and odor and irritation thresholds. PPAH and RSP concentrations in casinos were, on average, 4 and 6 times, respectively, that of outdoor levels despite generous ventilation and low smoking prevalence. SHS infiltrated into nonsmoking gaming areas. Patrons' urine cotinine increased 1.9 ng/mL on average after about 4-hour visits. SHS-induced heart disease and lung cancer will cause an estimated 6 Pennsylvania casino workers' deaths annually per 10,000 at risk, 5-fold the death rate from Pennsylvania mining disasters. Casinos should not be exempt from smoke-free workplace laws.

Seasonal Change in the Atmospheric Concentration of Particulate Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

We analyzed atmospheric particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for 19 months. The average concentrations of total PAHs at dry and rainy seasons were 4.28 +/- 2.83 and 15.71 +/- 8.21 ng m(-3), respectively. The use of motorcycles without catalytic converters, estimated to be main emission sources of PAHs, would be higher during the dry season. PAH concentrations show a negative correlation with sunshine duration (r = -0.51). Furthermore, the ratio of average PAH concentration in the dry season to that in the rainy season shows a positive correlation with photolytic half-life (r = 0.94). Thus, seasonal changes in PAH concentrations are attributable to their photolytic degradation.

Spatial and temporal variability of particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Mexico City

Abstract. As part of the Megacities Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations (MILAGRO) study in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area in March 2006, we measured particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other gaseous species and particulate properties, including light absorbing carbon or effective black carbon (BC), at six locations throughout the city. The measurements were intended to support the following objectives: to describe spatial and temporal patterns in PAH concentrations, to gain insight into sources and transformations of PAHs and BC, and to quantify the relationships between PAHs and other pollutants. Total particulate PAHs at the Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo (T0 supersite) located near downtown averaged 50 ng m−3, and aerosol active surface area averaged 80 mm2 m−3. PAHs were also measured on board the Aerodyne Mobile Laboratory, which visited six sites encompassing a mixture of different land uses and a range of ages of air parcels transported from the city core. A combination of analyses of time series, back trajectories, concentration fields, pollutant ratios, and correlation coefficients supports the concept of T0 as an urban source site, T1 as a receptor site with strong local sources, Pedregal and PEMEX as intermediate sites, Pico Tres Padres as a vertical receptor site, and Santa Ana as a downwind receptor site. Weak intersite correlations suggest that local sources are important and variable and that exposure to PAHs and BC cannot be represented by a single regional-scale value. The relationships between PAHs and other pollutants suggest that a variety of sources and ages of particles are present. Among carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon dioxide, particulate PAHs are most strongly correlated with NOx. Mexico City's PAH/BC mass ratio of 0.01 is similar to that found on a freeway loop in the Los Angeles area and approximately 8–30 times higher than that found in other cities. Evidence also suggests that primary combustion particles are rapidly coated by secondary aerosol in Mexico City. If so, their optical properties may change, and the lifetime of PAHs may be prolonged if the coating protects them against photodegradation or heterogeneous reactions.

Variation in particulate PAHs levels and their relation with the transboundary movement of the air masses

The levels of particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined with a fast analytical approach to study their seasonal variations at Menen (Belgium) during 2003; they were found to be 5–7 times higher in January, February and December, in comparison to May, June and August. The annual average concentration of the sum of 16 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criteria PAHs was 6.7 ng/m 3 and around 63% of it was found to be probably carcinogenic to humans. The application of diagnostic ratio and principal component analysis showed vehicular emission as a major source. An increased ratio of ‘combustion PAHs’ to ‘total EPA-PAHs’ during the winter season indicated towards combustion activities. Further, the differences in PAHs concentration were assessed with relation to backward air mass trajectories, which show that the levels of PAHs increase when there is an air mass movement from Central and Western Europe and a fall when the trajectories spend most of their 4-day time over the Atlantic Ocean or in the Arctic region.

Particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in naturally ventilated multi-storey residential buildings of Singapore: Vertical distribution and potential health risks

The main objective of the study is to quantify the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentration levels (US EPA priority components) in fine traffic-generated particles (PM 2.5) at various heights of typical multi-storey public housing buildings located in close proximity, i.e. within 30 m and along a busy major expressway in Singapore. The secondary objective is to estimate the potential health risks associated with inhalation exposure, based on the toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) at the various floors of these buildings. Two typical public housing buildings, both naturally ventilated residential apartment blocks, of point block configuration (22-storey) and slab block configuration (16-storey) were selected for the study. Particulate samples were collected for chemical analysis at three representative floors: the lower, the mid, and the upper floors of the buildings. Key meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, ambient temperature, and relative humidity were also measured at the representative floors. All samples were analyzed for the 16 PAH priority pollutants listed by US EPA. The vertical PAH distribution profile varies with height of building depending on the type of block configuration. The total mean concentrations of particulate PAHs for point and slab blocks are 3.32±1.76 ng/m 3 (0.56–7.2 ng/m 3) and 6.0±1.88 ng/m 3 (3.19–10.26 ng/m 3), respectively. For the point block, the highest mean total PAH concentration occurred at the mid floor followed by the upper floor. The lower floor had the least mean total PAH concentration. For the slab block, the highest mean total PAH concentration occurred at the lower floor and remained almost constant up to the mid floor and thereafter gradually decreased from mid floor to upper floor of the building. These results suggest that the building configuration influences the vertical distribution of particulate PAHs. The dominant particulate PAHs measured at the point block are naphthalene, acenaphthylene, benzo( b)fluoranthene, and benzo( g, h, i)perylene while those for the slab block, the main particulate PAHs are naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and benzo( g, h, i)perylene. The Bpe/Ind ratio for both blocks ranged from 0.92±0.2 to 1.63±0.6 indicating particulate PAHs are contributed by a mixture of both diesel and petrol engine type of vehicles, with diesel engine vehicles contributing a higher percentage of particulate PAHs to the different floor levels of both buildings. The total BaP eq concentrations for point and slab blocks are 1.06±0.64 ng/m 3 (0.14–2.45 ng/m 3) and 0.94±1.22 ng/m 3 (0.10–4.59 ng/m 3), respectively. The total BaP equivalency results showed the potential health risk to cancer due to inhalation exposure is of concern for residents living in both blocks since the total BaP eq concentrations for both blocks were very close to, or slightly exceeded the maximum permissible risk level of 1 ng/m 3 of benzo( a)pyrene.

Seasonal variation of particle size distributions of PAHs at Seoul, Korea

The atmospheric size distributions of particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) up to 10 μm in diameter were measured at Seoul in the summer and winter of 2003. The concentrations of total PAHs were from 4.32 to 5.48 ng m−3 in summer and from 25.6 to 35.9 ng m−3 in winter, respectively. Majority of the PAHs concentrations were found on fine particles (D p < 2.1 μm). The size distributions of individual PAH compounds were bimodal with the peaks in the 0.43–0.65- and 4.7–5.8-μm range in summer. In winter, those were unimodal or weakly bimodal with the peaks in the 0.65–1.1- and 4.7–5.8-μm range. The seasonal variation of the peak size range in the fine mode might be caused by longer residence time in the air in winter. Based on the previously reported source diagnostic ratios of PAHs for the major emission sources, it was suggested that vehicles were the major source of PAH in summer, while coal-related emissions and firewood fire were the major sources in winter for fine particles. The seasonal variation of the peak size ranges in the fine particles had not shown noticeable effect on the dry deposition fluxes. However, it might affect the optical properties of the atmosphere.

愛媛県における大気エアロゾル中多環芳香族炭化水素類（ＰＡＨｓ）の濃度レベル，変動の特徴とその起源

Concentrations of particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) in ambient air were investigated every month during the period Apr. 2004 to Mar. 2006 at two sampling sites in Ehime Prefecture; Site-N in Niihama city industrial area and Site-U in Uwajima city nonindustrial area. The sampling was carried out by high volume air sampler on quarts filters, extracted with dichloromethane and analyzed by HPLC with programmable fluorescence detection. Heavy metals and water soluble ios in particulate samples and benzene in air samples were also analyzed in this study. Annual average of total PAHs concentrations ranged from 4.5 to 4.7 ng/m3 at Site-N, higher than in Site-U (2.0∼3.4 ng/m3). Estimated risks of each PAHs based on unit risk were in the order of 10-7∼10-5, but overall risk was higher than objective criteria suggested by Central Environmental Council, Japan. B[a]P contributed above 50 % followed by DB[a,h]A. To have a complete knowledge on PAHs in atmosphere, their levels in the gaseous phase should also be monitored. Major source of PAHs would be vehicles especially diesel cars because of their diagnostic ratios of B[ghi]P/IP, IP/(IP+B[ghi]P) and (B[b]F+B[k]F)/B[ghi]P ranged within values reported for diesel exhausts so far. This view can be substantiated by the observed high correlation of PAHs with benzene and carbon oxide. Indexes of sources were selected by hierarchical cluster analysis on datasets of PAHs, metals and ions at Site-U which has no significant sources from industries. Then temporal variations of them and back trajectories at points in time were analyzed. It appears that high concentrations of anthropogenic metals and NH4SO4 are observed when the air mass was originated and passed through low-altitudes on industrial regions of China. Although PAHs showed significant correlation with these metals, they would be increased mainly by the effect of atmospheric stability.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with atmospheric particles in Higashi Hiroshima, Japan: Influence of meteorological conditions and seasonal variations

This work studied the influence of meteorological conditions on particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere of Higashi Hiroshima, Japan. The seasonal variation of particulate PAHs was also covered. It was found that ambient temperature, solar intensity and weekly rainfall had significant influence on the particulate PAH concentration based on correlation studies. Correlation of particulate PAHs with ambient temperature, solar intensity, weekly rainfall, wind speed and humidity was studied by using Pearson correlation analysis. Particulate PAHs had a strong negative correlation with ambient temperature and solar intensity. A moderate negative correlation with weekly rainfall was also observed. There was no significant correlation between particulate PAHs with wind speed as well as humidity. Besides, particulate PAHs were found to have significant positive correlation with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide while having a moderate negative correlation with ozone. The particulate PAHs in Higashi Hiroshima exerted distinct seasonal variation with a higher concentration in winter and lower concentration in summer. When compared among PAHs with different numbers of aromatic rings; 5-ring PAHs was found to exert the most distinct seasonal variation. The contribution of carcinogenic PAHs to total particulate PAH concentration was fairly constant at about 50% throughout the year.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons study and toxic equivalency factor (TEFs) in Tehran, IRAN

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic pollutants released by various urban combustion sources. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a representative member of the class of PAHs. Health risk assessment associated with inhalatory PAHs uptake is often estimated on the basis of the BaP concentrations in air. Atmospheric particulate PAHs concentrations were measured at five locations in Tehran, Iran. Sixteen PAHs were extracted from the airborne particles and analyzed by HPLC. Total PAHs concentrations (16 compounds) at five station Arjanteen, Enghelab, Azadi, Bahman, Haft Houz were respectively, 70.2, 96.5, 130, 79.1, 44.1 ng/m(3). The information obtain from the present study indicated that mean of human carcinogens are: benzo[a]antheracene (0.17-4.76 ng/m(3)), chrysene (1.74-3.62 ng/m(3)), benzo[b]fluoranthene (0-5.25 ng/m(3)), benzo[k]fluoranthene (0.32-1.72 ng/m(3)), benzo[a]pyrene (1.41-3.82 ng/m(3)), dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (0.33-2.13 ng/m(3)), and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (0.25-11.08 ng/m(3)). The development and the establishment of a toxicity equivalency factor (TEF) are used in the assessment of mixtures containing PAHs. The contribution of the carcinogenic potency of BaP alone is in the range of 49.6-76.3% of the total carcinogenic activity. The annual number of lung cancer cases (persons per million) among Tehran residents (population = 10 millions) attributable to these carcinogenic PAHs compounds in 2005 was estimated at 58 persons per million. In Tehran urban areas vehicular emission are the primary contributor to PAHs concentrations, with additional local contributors like industrials emissions.

Seasonal variation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Pearl River Delta region, China

A level IV fugacity model was applied to simulate the seasonal variation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in various bulk media in Pearl River Delta (PRD), China. The predictions were validated against monthly observed concentrations of gaseous and particulate phase PAHs in air and annual mean concentrations of all other bulk media. The uncertainty of the predictions was evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation. The influential parameters were identified using sensitivity analysis on both media concentrations and seasonal variations. The predicted concentrations and the patterns of seasonal variation generally agreed with the field observations. Concentrations of gaseous phase PAHs in air increased in the summer and decreased in the winter while concentrations of particulate phase PAHs in summer were lower than those in the winter. The relative variations of PAHs in the other bulk media were not as profound as those in air and the variation patterns were chemical compound dependent. Temperature and precipitation were the most important parameters leading to the seasonalities of PAH concentrations. Other key parameters included dry precipitation rate, advective water flow from upstream, and solid fractions in air and water.

Inhalation exposure of traffic police officers to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during the winter in Beijing, China

This study concerns the use of personal samplers to evaluate the exposure of traffic police to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during the winter of 2005 in Beijing. We measured the samples collected for gas and particulate phases PAHs with the same technique used for an earlier study during the summer of 2004, and evaluated exposure risk based on the calculated benzo(a)pyrene equivalent concentrations (BaP(eq)) of both summer and winter. The mean exposure concentrations of gaseous and particulate phase PAHs in the winter are 4300+/-2900 ng/m(3) and 750+/-1000 ng/m(3), respectively, significantly higher than those measured simultaneously at control sites and also considerably higher than the values measured during the summer. The exposure PAH profiles for police and the control subjects are similar with predominant naphthalene in gaseous phase and dominant fluoranthene, pyrene, anthracene and naphthalene in particulate phase. Large daily variations occur both in summer and winter, because of the changes in the weather conditions especially wind speed and relative humidity which tend to disperse and scavenge PAHs in air. In the winter, the average BaP(eq) value for traffic police is 82.1 ng/m(3), which is significantly higher than those for the control subjects and the national standard of 10 ng/m(3) for ambient air. Particulate phase PAHs contribute more than 90% of the total exposure risk in the winter. Annually, weighted-average probabilities of exceeding the national standard (10 ng/m(3)) are 69.3% and 20.6% for the police and the controls, respectively.

Levels and statistical analysis of aerosol phase PAHs over Qingdao alongshore

Atmospheric concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured during various seasons at six different cities/locations in Qingdao alongshore. The annual average PAHs concentration ranged from 16 ng/m3 (at a clean compared site) to 308 ng/m3 (in an industry site). The average total particulate PAHs concentration was 74.5 ng/m3 with a higher concentration of particulate PAHs in winter. Based on a year-round dataset, the sources of PAHs in the air of Qingdao were drawn by principal factor analysis and correlation analysis. The results indicated that vehicle emissions and oil burning were the main source of PAHs in Qingdao alongshore.

Sampling precautions for the measurement of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air

Because of the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and of their oxidation products, such as nitrated and oxygenated PAHs (NPAHs and OPAHs), the determination of their concentrations is of great interest in terms of atmospheric pollution control. Then, normalisation of sampling procedures appears essential. In this context, this paper presents a comparison of particulate PAH, OPAH and NPAH concentrations determined with two different samplers (cascade impactor and conventional high volume sampler) installed in parallel during several field sampling campaigns carried out under different environmental conditions. For winter and summer periods, the PAH and OPAH concentrations determined with both sampling systems were considered as equivalent. In the summer period, NPAH concentrations quantified with both sampling devices were similar whereas in the winter period, the conventional high volume sampler underestimated their concentrations by a factor of 3–4. This underestimation was observed in the same proportion for all the 17 quantified NPAHs. Analytical error, NPAH formation during the sampling and NPAH degradation by reaction with gaseous oxidants associated to sampling methodology were unable to explain such differences between both samplers used in parallel. A probable hypothesis is that the heating of the PM 10 head of the high volume sampler in the winter period generates an increase of the internal sampler temperature that could intensify the chemical degradation of the NPAHs inducing the underestimation of their concentrations in the atmosphere. Further investigations will be necessary to confirm the importance of the temperature on the chemical degradation of these compounds and to understand the different behaviour of PAHs and OPAHs. Consequently, we suggest using oxidant scrubber to prevent chemical degradation of PAHs and derivatives during their sampling. Moreover, we advise against the heating of the sampling head which could induce an increase of these reactions of degradation especially for NPAHs.

Gas-particle concentration and distribution of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the atmosphere of Prato (Italy)

Air samples were collected in an urban and industrialised area of Prato (Italy) during 2002, as part of a study to identify and measure aliphatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Total concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons ranged between 170 and 282ngm(-3) in the gas phase and from 48.9 to 276ngm(-3) in the particulate phase. The average total PAH concentrations (gas+particulate) were 59.4+/-26.5ngm(-3), and both gas and particulate phase PAH concentrations decreased with increasing temperature. Source identification using diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis identified automobile traffic, in particular, the strong influence of diesel fuel burning, as the major PAH source. Gas-particle partition coefficients (K(p)'s) of n-alkane and PAHs were well correlated with the sub-cooled liquid vapour pressure (P(L)(0)) and indicate stronger sorption of PAHs to aerosol particles compared with n-alkanes.

Ambient Concentrations and Gas/Particle Partitioning of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in an Urban Site in Turkey

Atmospheric samples were collected between July 2004 and May 2005 in Bursa, Turkey, when there was no rain, and analyzed for gas and particle concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study targeted 15 PAH compounds. Vapor-phase PAH compositions were dominated by the more volatile PAHs, relative to the particle phase. On average, 76% of the total (gas + particulate) PAH concentration was in the vapor phase. Average total PAH concentration was 298 ± 418 ng/m3. The large seasonal concentration fluctuation was attributed to residential heating, vaporization, industrial activities, and meteorological conditions. The measured average seasonal concentrations were 55 ± 40, 187 ± 202, 645 ± 588 and 148 ± 132 ng/m3 for summer, fall, winter, and spring, respectively. The partitioning of PAHs between gas and particle phases was investigated employing the Junge-Pankow model. Plots of log gas/particle partition coefficient (K p ) versus log liquid vapor pressures (PL o) had reasonable correlations for individual samples. Experimentally determined K p values were compared with the result obtained using absorption (octanol–air partition coefficient [K OA ]) into aerosol organic matter and adsorption (K SA + K OA ) onto soot carbon models. Experimentally determined K p values were generally in the same range with the ones obtained from the models.

Measurement of DNA Adducts as Biomarkers of Genotoxic Exposure to Benzo[A]Pyrene Using a LC-MS/MS Technique

P-133 Introduction: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants representing the first family of carcinogenic pollutants in professional environment. It is now well established that some of these molecules including the tumorigenic benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) are responsible for the apparition of lung, skin and bladder cancers. It is therefore of major importance to evaluate individual exposure to carcinogenic PAHs in order to improve health risk assessment. In addition to the classical determination of atmospheric concentrations of gaseous and particulate PAHs and 1-hydroxyprene excreted in urine, we are interested in measuring specific urinary metabolites and DNA adducts of BaP. Methods: A high performance liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescence detection (HPLC-Fluo) method has been set-up for the urinary determination of 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (3-OHBaP) and BaP tetrol, and compared to a HPLC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method. This technique already used for the quantification of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-désoxyguanosine was also developed for the measurement of several DNA adducts of BaP. Results: The limit of detection (LOD) obtained for 3-OHBaP is 0.4 ng/L of urine thanks to a double-step procedure of purification and concentration of urinary samples on Sep-Pak cartridges followed by an on-line extraction on the HPLC-Fluo system, and is not improved using a tandem mass spectrometric detection. The LOD of BaP tetrol is currently determined. HPLC-MS/MS allows a highly sensitive and specific detection and quantification of eight stable and depurinating DNA adducts of BaP. These include five DNA adducts of the carbocation pathway and three adducts arising from the BaP-diol-epoxyde pathway. The corresponding limits of detection range from 1 to 40 injected fmoles. Discussion and Conclusions: In the weeks coming, our developed analytical tools will be applied to measure BAP metabolites, DNA adducts and DNA oxidative damages in urinary samples obtained from volunteers professionally exposed to PAHs. The results should be of main importance to identify pertinent biomarkers in order to measure exposure to BaP and assess health risks of workers which may orientate preventing actions.

Kinetic Study of the Reactions of Ozone with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Adsorbed on Atmospheric Model Particles

In this experimental study, rate constants were measured for the reactions of ozone with 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed on different types of particles. Graphite and silica were chosen to model, respectively, carbonaceous and mineral atmospheric particles. The pseudo-first order rate constants were obtained from the fit of the experimental decay of particulate PAH concentrations versus time. Second order rate constants were calculated considering the ozone gaseous concentration. At room temperature, rate constants varied, in the case of graphite particles, between (1.5 ± 0.5) × 10−17 and (1.3 ± 0.7) × 10−16 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for chrysene and dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, respectively, and, in the case of silica particles, between (1.5 ± 0.3) × 10−17 and (1.4 ± 0.3) × 10−16 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene, respectively. Different granulometric parameters (particle size, pore size) and different PAH concentrations were tested in the case of silica particles. Heterogeneous reactions of ozone with particulate PAHs are shown to be more rapid than those occurring in the gas-phase, and may be competitive with atmospheric photodegradation.

Seasonal trend of particulate PAHs at Gosan, a background site in Korea between 2001 and 2002 and major factors affecting their levels

The concentrations of particulate Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured at Gosan, a background site in Korea for 1 year between November 2001 and November 2002. The total concentrations of 14 PAH compounds at Gosan were between 0.52 and 14.76 ng m − 3 and about 3–15 times higher than those at other rural or remote sites in the world. Seasonal trend was observed for particulate PAHs concentrations at Gosan with higher levels during heating season due to increased fossil fuel usage and the movement of air parcels from Asian continent. Principal component factor analysis (PCF) for PAHs showed three factors; combination of coal combustion and vehicular emission, natural gas combustion, and unidentified one. However, PCF for the combined data of PAHs, inorganic ions, and elements revealed that the unidentified factor consists of crustal species, sea salts, and four PAH compounds. Thus, this factor is thought to be transport of crustal species with organics from combustion sources. The major variables which determine the sources of PAHs are the heating season and the movement of air parcels from Asian continent.