Surface contamination with PASH, PAH and PCDD/F after fire accidents in private residences

Surface samples were taken from two private residences after real fire acci dents. The goal was, to determine the surface contaminations with polycycli c aromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASH), as representatives of a substance cl ass, not investigated in this context, by now, polycyclic aromatic hydrocar bons (PAH) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) . Analytical method for the determination of PASH was developed for the res pective matrix. Concentrations measured ranged between 1.70 and 465 mu g/m( 2) for PASH, 34.3 and 58,800 mu g/m(2) for PAH (EPA), and 4.15 and 1,300 ng /m(2) for PCDD/F, as well. Obviously, PASH were formed during the fire acci dents. Nevertheless, PAH were the most relevant pollutants after these smal l fires.