Title: A study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in airborne particulate matter in central Taiwan

Authors: Yuh-Shen Wu, Guor-Cheng Fang, Chia-Chium Chu, Peter Pi-Cheng Fu, Deng-Yuan Ji, Ming-Hsiang Cneh, I-Lin Yang

Addresses: Air Toxic and Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Hungkuang University, Taiwan. ' Air Toxic and Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Hungkuang University, Taiwan. ' Department of Internal Medicine, Intensive Care Unit, Chien Yu Regional Teaching Hospital, Lin Yuang, Taiwan. ' Division of Biochemical Toxicology National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, USA. ' Air Toxic and Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Hungkuang University, Taiwan. ' Department of Environmental Science, Tunghai University, Taiwan. ' Department of Environmental Science, Tunghai University, Taiwan

Abstract: Two sampling sites in central Taiwan, at Hungkuang University (HKU) and Tunghai University (THU), were chosen to contrast the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere from November 2000 to April 2001. PAHs that arise from incomplete combustion of organic materials, especially fossil fuels, are the major toxic pollutants in central Taiwan. This study aimed to analyse PAHs, by using a PS-1 sampler and a gas chromatograph/mass selective detector (GC/MSD), and to identify the major sources of PAHs. At the HKU sampling site, the primary emission sources are probably vehicles and coal burning, and vehicular emissions are the primary contributor at the THU sampling site.

Keywords: coal combustion; PAH; TSP; vehicular emissions; Taiwan; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; pollution emission; air pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2004.005121

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2004 Vol.21 No.5, pp.471 - 480

Published online: 03 Sep 2004 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article