Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons collected from indoor built environments on heating, ventilation and air conditioning dust filters

In this study, ‘priority’ PAHs in 20 HVAC filter dust samples were measured using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The samples were taken in homes, schools and mosques in five provinces in Kuwait over a 2-month period in winter. The results showed that traffic and petrochemical refineries were the main outdoor sources of PAHs measured indoors in all of the locations. Benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[k]fluoranthene, which are classified as carcinogenic compounds, were present at the highest mean concentrations in most of the locations. The maximum total PAH concentration (PAHs is the sum of all target PAHs in each building) was 3645 ng/g and was found in a school that is located south of three refineries and a power station. The highest concentrations of carcinogenic PAHs were found in a home and the lowest in a mosque. Chrysene was found at the highest concentrations and fluoranthene was found at the lowest concentrations of all the PAHs analysed.
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research