Determination of 1,3-, 1,6-, 1,8-dinitropyrene and 1-nitropyrene in airborne particulate by column liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

Nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) in airborne particulate were determined by column liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. NPAHs were extracted ultrasonically prior to being injected into the separation system. A reversed-phase C18 column was used to separate the NPAHs with an aqueous eluent containing acetonitrile and sodium monochloroacetate as buffer. Calibration graphs were linear with very good correlation coefficients (r>0.999) and the detection limits were ca. 20 pg for all analytes. The proposed method provides a relatively simple and convenient procedure for determining the NPAHs in airborne particulate.