EURO Laboratory Update – PAHs (June 2008)
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
(
PAHs) are
chemical compounds that consist of fused
aromatic
rings and do not contain
heteroatoms or carry
substituents.
PAHs occur in
oil,
coal and
tar deposits, and are produced as byproducts of fuel burning (whether fossil fuel or biomass).
As a pollutant, they are of concern because some compounds have been identified as
carcinogenic,
mutagenic and
teratogenic.
We currently test PAHs in water by HPLC/PDA following liquid/liquid extraction.
Soils thought to contain PAHs are extracted by ASE and
analysed
on our GC/MS.
Our calibration range encompasses the
inert limit of 100 milligrams of
PAHs per kilogram of soil
as laid out in
legalisation
for WAC (Waste Acceptance Criteria) analysis
.
For further information contact our Organics Team on 041 984 5440 ext 2 or info@euroenv.ie.
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