Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and mutagens in ambient air particles sampled in Thessaloniki, Greece

Seventy samples of airborne particulates were sampled from two sites in Thessaloniki, Greece, during the period of one year, starting in July 1987. Thessaloniki is located in the northeastern part of Greece and is the second most highly populated city of the country. The 24‐h samples were taken by using high‐volume samplers located in two monitoring sites — 1 and 2. Site 1 was located at the center of the city (main pollution sources were traffic and central heating), whereas site 2 was in the industrial zone of the city (main sources were industrial activities and traffic). The collected particulates were examined for their mutagenicity with the Ames test. The analysis of particulates to determine their content in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was done by the gas chromatographic method. The column used to separate the various PAHs was a wide‐bore capillary column. Ten PAHs were identified and quantified in the atmosphere of Thessaloniki. No essential differences were found between the mean values of PAH concentrations measured at the two sites, whereas the mutagenicity values at site 1 (central area) were higher than those measured at site 2 (industrial site). The PAH concentrations were moderate if compared with those found in other polluted cities in the world, whereas the mutagenic activity of particulates was low. Higher values of PAH concentrations and mutagenicity were found during winter. During Sundays the PAH concentrations were lower than those measured on weekdays. No significant linear correlation was found between PAH concentrations and mutagenicity for both sites of measurements. The main sources of PAHs were estimated to be the stationary sources in winter and the traffic in summer for both measuring sites. Higher values of both PAH concentrations and mutagenicity were found during days with light winds. Copyright © 1991 SETA