Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from vehicle exhaust using TD–GC–MS

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are potentially carcinogenic species present in the environment. In ambient air, the most toxic PAHs tend to occur bound to airborne particulate matter, such as that generated from combustion processes. One major source of such particulates is the exhaust emissions of vehicle engines (particularly older diesel engines). In view of the continued need to reduce vehicle emissions and the toxicity of PAHs in the environment, it is important to be able to monitor the PAHs present in particulate matter from diesel exhaust.

This application note describes how thermal desorption, in conjunction with GC–MS, can be used to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vehicle exhaust.

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