Oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban air particulate matter

Atmospheric concentrations of oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Oxy-PAHs) in Santiago de Chile city were evaluated to study particulate Oxy-PAHs profiles during cold and spring weather periods. Samples of urban particulate matter PM10 were collected during July and September–October, using a high volume air sampler provided with glass fiber filters. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Ketones, quinones, aldehydes and carboxaldehydes were characterized and quantified. Among 12 oxy-PAHs found in the air samples, 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde was found the greatest amount at the two sampling seasons (winter and spring) and at the two sampling sites (4.66±4.21 ng m−3 at Providencia and 2.66±2.33 ng m−3 at Las Condes, during winter). Concentration of these carcinogenic compounds is higher than other cities indicating an exposure of the inhabitants of Santiago to high amount of carcinogenic-mutagenic compounds air pollutants.