Review of progress in solvent-extraction techniques for the determination of polyaromatic hydrocarbons as airborne pollutants

• Some polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known or suspected carcinogens and mutagens.
• For the analysis of airborne PAHs, post-sampling treatment is critical to maintain accuracy.
• We provide a review of progress made in solvent-extraction techniques for PAHs.

In this review, we concentrate on sample-pretreatment options with the main emphasis on all aspects of solvent extraction prior to GC-based analysis of airborne polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To this end, we review developments in these applications covering many different approaches that have commonly been used or introduced recently.Generally, sample pretreatment comprises(1)solvent extraction of PAHs from filters and sorbents;(2)extract concentration;(3)some form of liquid, or solid, chromatography clean-up;(4)eluent concentration; and(5)injection into a GC for analysis.Recent developments in these areas include: cold-fiber solid-phase microextraction of PAH extracts; the “Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe” (QuEChERS) extraction technique; and, using vehicle-engine air-intake filters to collect airborne particulate matter. We also discuss some aspects of “green chromatography”, used in recent years to reduce solvent usage.