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Selective Fluorescence Detection of Polycyclic AromaticHydrocarbons in Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Other AirborneParticles

Journal Article · · International Journal of Environmental AnalyticalChemistry
OSTI ID:914445

An analytical method is described for the simultaneous quantitation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [pAHs] and alkylderivatives [alkyl-PAHs] in 'real world' samples using microbore reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography in conjunction with two programmable fluorescence detectors. Sensitivity and selectivity were enhanced by analyzing PAHs under their optimum fluorescence wavelengths. The accuracy of the analytical method was evaluated by determination of PAHs in 5 mg of standard reference material SRM 1649. The method was also successfilly employed to analyze major parent PAHs and some alkyl-PAHs from environmental tobacco smoke [ETS] with a sample size of 2 mg using class-selective fluorescence wavelengths. Some alkyl-PAHs were tentatively identified even in the absence of standard compounds. Coeluting pairs were identified and analyzed by careful selection of excitation and emission wavelengths for each compound. Identities of the signals were confirmed by comparing both the retention behavior and the peak-height ratios at two or more different excitation and emission wavelength combinations.

Research Organization:
Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
914445
Report Number(s):
LBL--32997
Journal Information:
International Journal of Environmental AnalyticalChemistry, Journal Name: International Journal of Environmental AnalyticalChemistry Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 56; ISSN IJEAA3; ISSN 0306-7319
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English