Determination of polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocyclic compounds in airborne particulate by gas chromatography with atomic emission and mass spectrometric detection

An analytical method is presented for the determination of tetra-, penta- a nd hexacyclic aromatic sulfur heterocyclic compounds (thiaarenes) in workpl ace air. Using a clean-up procedure for the isolation of polycyclic aromati c hydrocarbons and high-resolution gas chromatography with atomic emission detection, selective detection of thiaarenes was possible in the presence o f abundant homocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Applying the method to an indo or air sample from an aluminium melting facility, more than 130 sulfur-cont aining components were detectable of which 53 components were identified as thiaarenes. Quantification of all identified thiaarenes by using one inter nal standard was possible due to the compound independent sulfur response o f an atomic emission detector. The summarized concentration of all sulfur-c ontaining polycyclic aromatic compounds isolated was found to be 12 mu g/m( 3). (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.