Collection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with a glass fibre filter-polyurethane foam system in Vienna to establish PAH profiles for 1999

Since the beginning of 1999 16 EPA PAH and four selected PAH which are spec ific tracers of traffic and heating combustion emissions have been collecte d according to the draft standard ISO 12884. The collection time did not ex ceed 24 hours. PAH profiles tone year, 5 samples per month taken in one wee k) were measured. The sampling efficiency was determined by fortifying sele cted deuterated PAH standards. The sample preparation was checked by C-13 P AH surrogate standard mix. Reproducible results, especially for the four, f ive and six ring PAH, could be achieved with a concentration level of less than 5 ng/Nm(3). The more volatile PAH were detected at concentrations up t o ten times higher than the less volatile ones. In the end of this study it should be possible to establish PAH profiles. It is assumed that the PAH c oncentrations decrease over the summer due to higher temperatures.