Determination of PAHs in combustion-related samples and in SRM 1597, complex mixture of PAHs from coal tar

Three types of Combustion sample extracts, smokeless coal, smoky coal, and wood, were analyzed for a range of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASH). Standard Reference Mate rial (SRM) 1597, Complex Mixture of PAHs from Coal Tar, was also analyzed a s a control sample and for the determination of a larger number of PAHs rel ative to those determined previously Target analytes included many alkyl-su bstituted PAHs such as dimethylphenanthrenes, methylfluoranthenes, and meth ylpyrenes. The analytical methods included sample clean-up and the selectio n of specific stationary phases to accomplish unique separations of PAHs. C lean-up involved the use of normal-phase liquid chromatographic isolation o f PAHs based on the number of aromatic carbons and a total PAH fraction. PA Hs in the resulting fractions were separated by gas chromatography using tw o stationary phases with different selectivities and analyzed using mass sp ectrometry. These methods are discussed below and results are presented wit h an emphasis on the relative concentrations and distribution of PAHs in th e combustion samples.