Iranian Association of Environmental Health (IAEH)
Abstract
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons are ubiquitous in the urban atmosphere
and one of the most atmospheric pollutants to be identified as
suspected carcinogens .The objective of this study was to compare
particulate PAH profiles from several sites across Tehran. Atmospheric
concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Tehran were
evaluated to study particulate PAH profiles in different sites. The
particles size distributions were unimodal with a fine mode diameter
(PM<0.49 μm). Five sites were selected in residential areas and
one site in rural area for representing various situations and role of
motor vehicles in producing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Organics
on the filter were extracted with acetonitrile and a group of 16
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons was selected for evaluation. PAH
identification was done by High Performance Liquid Chromatography.
Total PAH concentration associated with particles collected on the
six-stage cascade impactor stages and after-filter in different sites
ranged between 0.132 to 234.3 ng/m3. The mean concentrations of
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, collected on each stage were: 4.17
ng/m3 for PM10-7.2 μm, 5.69 ng/m3 for PM7.2 - 3 μm, 11.95
ng/m3 for PM3 - 1.5 μm, 9.18 ng/m3 for PM1.5-0.95 μm, 2.82
ng/m3 for PM0.95-0.49 μm and 47.91 ng/m3 for PM < 0.49 μm
respectively
