Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air using passive sampling calibrated with active measurements

There are limited ambient air measurements of extended (beyond EPA Priority 16) lists of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We measured air concentrations of 45 PAHs using passive and active air sampling at 15 sites in a central urban community and one rural site for two years. Passive sampling was conducted with cylindrical XAD-based samplers deployed to capture spatial variability. High volume active samplers with quartz fiber filters for particles and XAD-4 absorbent for gases were deployed at two urban sites and the rural site to calibrate the passive measurements directly. Estimated passive sampling rates (PSRs) were evaluated as functions of meteorological data, seasons, locations, study year, and compared with other studies. Possible particle collection by the passive samplers was evaluated using a variety of particle measurements (TSP, PM10, PM2.5 and ultrafines <100 nm). Total PAHs were statistically associated with ultrafine particle concentrations and to a lesser extent PM2.5 and PM10, but not TSP. PSRs were more variable when PAH mass loadings were lower and near method detection limits; this occurred more often at the rural site. The PSRs were not statistically associated with meteorological conditions in this study, but wind speed had the highest potential to impact PSR results. The resulting passive PAH measurements are reported with respect to proximity to major roadways and other known air emissions types. PSRs were quantifiable for some PAHs that were found predominantly in the particulate phase in active sampling. This information, together with particle fraction calculations from active sampling, were used to estimate the particulate PAH capture of the passive sampler. Summed PAH (∑PAH) passive concentrations were measured within the range of 10–265 ng/m3, with the highest concentrations from naphthalene and the lowest detected concentrations from anthracene. These results indicated a stronger seasonal signal within 200 m of a major roadway.