| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4440083 | Atmospheric Environment | 2011 | 8 Pages |
This study investigates PAHs indoor emissions from burning decorative candle in an indoor environment because emissions from burning wax in home have rarely been addressed. A total of 12 air samples were collected during the entire burning period of the decorative candles. Particulate and gaseous PAHs emissions were simultaneously measured by passing effluent through a filter (to collect particulate-phase PAHs), a cold trap and ORBO 43 tubes (to capture gaseous-phase PAHs). Analysis involved ultrasound extraction, followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS).The measured total PAHs concentration (particulate + aqueous phase + gas phases) for the candles, reported as mass of PAHs emitted/mass of candle burning, was between 2.3 and 49.8 μg kg−1 and mean 15 μg kg−1. Considering the volume of sampled air, the concentrations of total PAHs ranged from 7 ng m−3 to 267 ng m−3. Concentrations of B[a]P emitted by candles ranged from 0.1 to 7.5 ng m−3, while total carcinogenic PAHs, expressed as B[a]eq, ranged from 0.2 to 10.7 ng m−3. The values of all the isomeric indices calculated in this research are in good agreement to literature data for emissions from high temperature processes.
► Paper describes a simple sampling and analysis procedure to analyze 18 PAHs indoor. ► The method involves a combination of cold trap, glass filter and sorbent cartridges. ► The analysis was carried out without purification steep, by GC/MS. ► The domestic use of decorative candles is increasing; PAHs tend to accumulate in homes. ► PAHs indoor exceeded background concentrations indicating that the candles were a source.
