Evaluation of an ultrasonic extraction method compared with the Soxhlet extraction method for the determination of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and n-alkanes in airborne particulate matter

An ultrasonic extraction method was evaluated for a GC/MS determination of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and n-alkanes in airborne particulate matt er, compared with the Soxhlet extraction method. Three airborne particulate samples collected at an industrial area of Kitakyushu City, a heavy traffi c area of Kawasaki City, and Urban Dust (Standard Reference Material 1649) were extracted for seven PAHs and eight n-alkanes by both the ultrasonic ex traction method with cyclohexane-ethanol (3:1) and Soxhlet extraction metho d with benzene-ethanol (3 : 1). Vehicle Exhaust Particulate (NIES No. 8) wa s also extracted for the compounds by the two methods. The results of the t arget compounds by the ultrasonic extraction method well agreed with those by the Soxhlet extraction method, except for the vehicle exhaust particulat e.