Polarographic and voltammetric determination of carcinogenic nitro and amino derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Nitro and amino derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAH and A PAH) are well-known chemical carcinogens which should be carefully monitore d in our environment. So far, mostly HPLC methods are used for these purpos es, while polarographic and voltammetric methods are used less frequently. This article deals with the use of modem polarographic and voltammetric tec hniques (namely differential pulse polarography, differential pulse voltamm etry, adsorptive stripping voltammetry and HPLC with electrochemical detect ion) for the determination of selected carcinogenic nitro and amino derivat ives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Optimum conditions are described for the determination of nanomolar or subnanomolar concentrations of nitro derivatives using mercury electrodes and for the determination of submicrom olar concentrations of amino derivatives using solid or carbon paste electr odes or HPLC with electrochemical detection. The selectivity of all these m ethods can be improved by preliminary separation using liquid-liquid or sol id phase extraction.