Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the urban atmospheric particulate matter in the city of Naples (Italy)

An investigation on PAH in the atmospheric particulate matter of the city o f Naples has been carried out. Urban atmospheric particulate matter was sam pled in three sampling sites (West, East and central areas of the city), wh ose characteristics were representative of the prevailing conditions. In ea ch site, 24 h samplings for 7 consecutive days were performed during three sampling campaigns, in 1996-1997. The results were comparable with those re ported in literature for similar investigations. Total PAH were in the rang e 2-130 ng m(-3), with a seasonal variation (autumn/winter vs. summer) in t he range 1.5-4.5. The relative contribution of diesel engines vs, gasoline fuelled engines was evidenced. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.