Method for measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particulate matter in ambient air

A method for measuring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient air is described. The particulate matter is collected on fibre-glass filters. The loaded filters are placed in tetrahydrofuran and the PAHs dissolved with the aid of ultrasonics and analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography on a reversed-phase column with a methanol-water mixture as mobile phase. The PAHs are detected by use of a UV-detector and the 254-nm mercury emission line. The method is rapid and adequate for measuring about 15 PAH-components in ambient air.