Analysis of PAH in Diesel Exhaust Particulate by High Resolution Capillary Column Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

A method has been developed to analyze PAH in diesel exhaust particulate filter samples. The method consists of collection of particulate filter samples, extraction and PAH fractionation of the filter samples, and analysis of the PAH by capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Perdeutero PAH were used as internal standard compounds to measure the recovery of PAH during preparation of the particulate filter samples for analysis. Verification of recovery of PAH during extraction was conducted by spiking the extraction solvent and particulate filter samples with these compounds. Two perdeutero PAH levels, about half and twice the engine PAH concentration, were used. Recoveries averaged about 80 percent for the low level and about 90 percent for the high level. The method was demonstrated to give accurate engine PAH measurements in particulate filter sample extracts when corrections were made for the perdeutero PAH losses.