Determination of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric particulate samples by HPLC with fluorescence detection : a field application

The content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was monitored in atmospheric particulate matter collected at two highway toll stations in Italy during both winter- and summertime. In particular, the highest concentrations of both total PAHs (28.1 ng/m3) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) (5.0 ng/m3) were found outside the cabin at the Viareggio sampling station during wintertime; the lowest concentrations, 2.0 and 0.2 ng/m3, respectively, were observed outside the cabins during summertime, without significant differences between the two sampling stations. The profile of PAH distribution was the same for the samples collected in winter and summer, and the total PAH and BaP concentrations of each sample reflected the traffic load at the two toll stations. This may mean that the presence of PAHs in the areas studied is due mainly to emissions from motor vehicles.