Particle-bound PAHs quantification using a 3-stages cascade impactor in French indoor environments

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Indoor Air Quality

Background:

• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common indoor air pollutants.
• Understanding PAH distribution by particle size is crucial for exposure assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify concentrations of 16 US-EPA priority PAHs in diverse indoor environments.
• To investigate the association between PAH molecular weight and particle size.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 3-stage Cascade Impactor to collect airborne particles across four size ranges (Dae>10 μm, 2.5 μm
• Quantified individual PAH concentrations using analytical chemistry techniques.
• Sampled 8 indoor environments in the Strasbourg area, France.

Main Results:

• All heavy PAHs (4-6 aromatic rings) were detected in all 8 sampling sites.
• Total PAH concentrations ranged from 0.44 to 2.09 ng m⁻³.
• High molecular weight PAHs were predominantly associated with finer particles (Dae<1 μm).

Conclusions:

• Indoor environments in Strasbourg exhibit measurable levels of priority PAHs.
• Particle size is a significant factor in the distribution of high molecular weight PAHs.
• Findings align with existing data from European indoor environments.