Assessment of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in PM1 near an area of heavy-duty traffic

The objective of this research was to evaluate nitro-polycydic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) associated with ultrafine airborne particles (PM,) in areas affected by vehicles in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre (MAPA), RS, Brazil. Extraction, isolation/derivatization, and subsequently gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC/ECD) were the techniques used to extract and determine NPAHs (1-nitronaphthalene, 2-nitrofluorene,3-nitrofluoranthene,1-nitropyrene, and 6-nitrochrysene) associated with PM, Airborne particles (PM1) were collected using PTFE filters in a PM162M automatic sampler. The analytical method was validated by the Standard Reference Material - SRM 1649b - from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, USA). The results were consistent with the certified values. 3-NFIt and 6-NChr reached highest concentrations of 0.047 ng.m(-3) and 0.0284 ng.m(-3), respectively, in Sapucaia do Sul and Canoas. Seasonal variation showed higher NPAH concentrations in cold days. The NPAHs associated with PM, were correlated with the pollutants nitrogen oxides and NPAHs with meteorological variables: temperature and wind speed. The results indicated that vehicles with diesel engines were influential. This was confirmed by the study of the ratios NPAHs/PAHs, 1-NPyr/Pyr, and 6-NChr/Chr. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.