A study of PAH characteristics and size distribution for the particulate matter in the ambient air

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) samples in the ambient air of rural, urban and traffic-intersection site have been collected by PS-1 samplers, NRI (Noll Rotary Impactor) and MOUDIs (Micro-orifice Uniform Deposit Impacters) from July, 1993 to January, 1995 in southern Taiwan. Total-PAH concentrations averaged 496, 1300 and 4090 ng/m(3) for rural, urban and traffic intersection on the 1.5 m level, respectively. Mean gas phase distribution of total-PAHs was 72.4%, 84.2%, and 77.3% for the rural, urban, and traffic intersection on the 1.5m level, respectively. Particle-bound total PAHs averaged 1930, 1840 and 1020 mu g/g for rural, urban and traffic intersection on the 1.5m level, respectively. For the traffic intersection, the particle size distribution (dC/dlogDp vs. Dp) of total-PAHs was found to have bimodal size distribution and are dominant in the fine particle mode (Dp < 1.0 mu m).