Simultaneous evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and carbonyl compounds in the atmosphere of Niterَi City, RJ, Brazil

Atmospheric particulate matter (total suspended particulate – TSP – and inhalable particles – PM10) and gas-phase samples were collected in three periods of seven to nine consecutive days in June and December 2011, and May 2012, in the central area of Niterói City, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. TSP (48.8–214 μg m−3) showed higher concentrations than PM10 (nd – 82.6 μg m−3). Sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and thirty-one carbonyl compounds (CC) were evaluated. Concentrations of individual PAH ranged from <LOQ to 2.25 ng m−3 in TSP and <LOQ to 3.42 ng m−3 in PM10; five- and six-ringed PAH predominated. The concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) were below the air quality standard established by the European Union (1.00 ng m−3). The human health risks evaluated by BaPeq and total carcinogenic risk associated with exposure to PM were low. The mean total concentration of CC in PM10 and TSP were 86.0 and 3.9 ng m−3, respectively, whereas in the gaseous phase it was 29.5 μg m−3 and corresponded to around 99.7% of total CC concentration. The total concentrations of CC associated with PM10 showed a discrete seasonal variation according to Principal Component Analysis.