Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient urban air

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) have been determined in theatmosphere of Isfahan, Iran. Airborne particulate matter was sampled using a high-volume air sampler at roof-top level (~6m). Extraction of PAHS from airborneparticulate matter has been performed using SFE system and the relationship bet-ween the extraction temperature and the recovery of PAHS from airborne particu-lates is investigated. Determination of 16 PAHS has been carried out by GC-MStechnique. Variation in concentration of PAHS has been compared to those fororganic carbon and total suspended particles (TSP). A good agreement was foundbetween the variation in concentration of PAHS and that for organic carbon, butweak correlation (p=0.06, r 2=0.42) was found to exist between the PAHS and TSP.