Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in residential air of ten Chicago area homes: Concentrations and influencing factors

摘要: Abstract Indoor and outdoor air samples at 10 non-smoker homes in the Chicago area were concurrently collected once per month for a 14-month period starting June 2000. During each sampling event, temperature, humidity, CO2, CO recorded. Questionnaires used to register household activities. For sample, 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) measured using gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The total concentration of PAHs (ΣPAHs) ranged from 13 2454 ng m−3 indoor 1865 ng m−3 air. In most cases, concentrations found be log-normally distributed. sum with molecular ⩽202 (ΣLight-PAHs, excluding naphthalene anthracene) behave differently than those ⩾228 (ΣHeavy-PAHs). Variations among seasons significant ΣLight-PAHs, temperature was positively correlate ΣLight-PAHs nine homes. ΣHeavy-PAHs, significantly higher fall winter summer. correlations appear weak light PAHs, but reasonably strong heavy PAHs. medians indoor-to-outdoor ratio (I/O) are less or very close 1 all except anthracene. ΣPAHs tend as age houses increases, surrounding industrial pollution have impact on ΣHeavy-PAHs. indoors, comparison indicates that house characteristics activities tends greater influence penetrating