Passive air sampling of POPs across Asia: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are mainly released into air as by products from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels or organic matter. PAHs have been recognized as carcinogens, mutagens and considered as one of persistent organic pollutants. Ideally, simultaneous measurements of air concentration in different locations are required to evaluate the relative importance of sources, atmospheric processes, and the long-range atmospheric transport potential of PAHs1,2. Such global spatial and temporal mapping studies could be on a range of scales, from around potential point sources, across cities, or even globally3,4. Concentrations of organic pollutants in air are traditionally obtained from samples collected by active samplings such as high-volume air sampler, which are expensive and require power source. Various studies have been used to evaluate passive air sampler (PAS) to overcome and complement the weakness of active sampler. PAS accumulate chemicals via diffusion and therefore do not require electricity. Semi-permeable membrane device, polyurethane foam (PUF) and XAD resin based sampler have been most widely tested and used PAS, among which PUF based PAS has been used for global monitoring of organic pollutants5,6,7. Air pollution is one of major environmental concerns that many of the Asian nations paying for the rapid development seen in the past few decades. AMETEC is an APEC Marine Environmental T pollutants. Ideally, simultaneous measurements of air concentration in different locations are required to evaluate the relative importance of sources, atmospheric processes, and the long-range atmospheric transport potential of PAHs1,2. Such global spatial and temporal mapping studies could be on a range of scales, from around potential point sources, across cities, or even globally3,4. Concentrations of organic pollutants in air are traditionally obtained from samples collected by active samplings such as high-volume air sampler, which are expensive and require power source. Various studies have been used to evaluate passive air sampler (PAS) to overcome and complement the weakness of active sampler. PAS accumulate chemicals via diffusion and therefore do not require electricity. Semi-permeable membrane device, polyurethane foam (PUF) and XAD resin based sampler have been most widely tested and used PAS, among which PUF based PAS has been used for global monitoring of organic pollutants5,6,7. Air pollution is one of major environmental concerns that many of the Asian nations paying for the rapid development seen in the past few decades. AMETEC is an APEC Marine Environmental T