Determination of Particle-Associated PAH Derivatives (ClPAHs, NPAHs, OPAHs) in Ambient Air and Automobile Exhaust by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry with Negative Chemical Ionization

Abstract

The concentrations of functionalized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), i.e., oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs), nitrated PAHs (NPAHs), and chlorinated PAHs (ClPAHs), in soluble organic fractions of automobile exhaust particles (NIST SRM 1975 and NIES CRM No.8) and airborne particles (NIST SRM1648a and PM₂.₅ collected at Kyoto, Japan) were simultaneously determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with negative chemical ionization (GC–NCI–MS). The concentrations of PAH derivatives in standard reference materials determined by GC–NCI–MS were in good agreement with the certified and literature values. Ten OPAHs, 12 NPAHs, and 12 ClPAHs were detected in ambient PM₂.₅ collected in Kyoto, Japan by the proposed analytical method.