DETERMINATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS IN URBAN STREET DUSTS AND THEIR SOURCE MATERIALS BY CAPILLARY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY

Molecular distributions of polycyciic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in street dust samples collected from the Tokyo metropolitan area were determined by capillary gas chromatography following HPLC fractionation. Sixty-four compounds including three- to six-ring PAHs and sulfur heterocyclics were identified by capillary GC/MS. Total PAH concentrations were in the range of a few micrograms per gram of dust. The source materials (automobile exhaust, asphalt, fuel-oil combustion products) were also analyzed. The PAH profile, especially relative abundance of alkyl-PAHs and sulfur-containing heterocyclics, indicated that PAHs in the street dusts on the heavily trafficked streets are strongly affected by automobile exhausts and those in the residential area have a somewhat more significant contribution from combustion products in stationary sources. With both types of dusts, asphalt is thought to contribute only a minor part of their PAHs. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.