C. K. Huynh

In-stack dilution technique for the sampling of polycyclic organic compounds. Application to effluents of a domestic waste incineration plant

Abstract A dilution technique for on-site stack sampling is described. The procedure enables the effluents to be cooled from 250°C to nearly ambient temperature with nitrogen or air and to circumvent the problems resulting from the handling of dirty stack gases providing dry samples of particulate matter collected on filters. The equipment includes devices to trap the vapor phases of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at −80°C. Low vapor pressure 6-ring PAHs are not detected in both vapor and paniculate phases. 4- and 5-ring PAHs from waste incineration plants are released predominantly in the vapor phase and are not captured by electrostatic filters. These observations raise the problem of their removal. As sources of PAHs, the contribution of the waste incineration plants is in the ng m−3 effluent level.

IDENTIFICATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF PAH IN BITUMEN BY GC- ION-TRAP MS AND HPLC-FLUORESCENT DETECTORS

Bitumen is a complex product with a large matrix of heavy aliphatic/naphthenic/aromatic hydrocarbons as well as a large number of isomeric compounds such as polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). Some PACs and derivatives are known to have a mutagenic and carcinogenic activity, and there is no generally satisfactory clean-up method for separating PACs from this very complex hydrocarbon matrix. Moreover, from an analytical point of view, the isomeric compounds usually co-elute in the same gas chromatography (GC) retention range, GC being one of the most widely used techniques in this area. However, the use of a suitable clean-up procedure for isolating the aromatic fractions, combined with two selective detection techniques such as mass spectrometry (GC-Ion Trap MS) and HPLC-Fluorescent detector (HPLC-FL), is expected to provide an effective tool for accurately determining certain PAC species in bitumen. In this paper we compare two quantitative extractions to analyse the 16 PAHs that occur in bitumen according to the US EPA reference list. Two clean-up protocols are assessed and compared by using both GC-Ion Trap MS and HPLC-FL chromatographic/detection techniques. The first extraction method combines well-established and proven clean-up operations with an automatic fractionation by semi-preparative HPLC (certification test program for PAHs in sewage sludge, in creosote-contaminated soil and in harbour sediment organised by the Community Bureau of Reference, BCR). The second method uses a multiple step-by-step liquid/liquid and liquid/solid extraction clean-up procedure. After the bitumen extracts are cleaned up, only the use of both GC-MS & HPLC-FL can provide reliable results. The more sensitive FL provides enhanced fluorescent selectivity signals that facilitate identification of PAH compounds. However, for their quantification, the capillary GC-ion trap mass spectrometric technique is preferred because of the insufficient resolution of the HPLC column and the possible quenching or co-elution effect of matrix compounds. Both detection techniques are regarded as complementary.

Pollution de l'air intérieur par les hydrocarbures polynucléaires de la fumée de tabac

SummaryAn orientation study on concentration levels of PAH in a closed space was carried out with concern about ventilation and quantity of cigarettes smoked. Emission factors of PAH and their methyl derivatives in the main and side-streams of light and heavy cigarettes were determined.ZusammenfassungEine Orientierungsstudie über die PAH-Gehalte in einem geschlossenen Raum wurde in Hinblick auf Ventilation und Anzahl gerauchter Zigaretten durchgeführt. Emissionsfaktoren der PAH und derer Methylhomologen im Haupt- und Nebenrauch wurde bei leichten und starken Zigaretten bestimmt.

Valeurs de condensat et de nicotine des cigarettes selon le mode de fumage

ZusammenfassungDer Einfluss des menschlichen Verhaltens auf den Kondensat- und Nikotingehalt der Barclay Zigaretten, die einem Filter mit besonderen Eigenschaften versehen sind, wird bewiesen. Die Methode benutzt das normale menschliche Rauchen mit und ohne Zigarettenspitze von einer kleinen Gruppe von 5 Rauchern Die chemische und statistische Analysen zeigen, dass die gefundenen Gehalte signifikant höher als die Werte sind, die auf dem Paket geschrieben sind.AbstractThe influence of the human behaviour on the tar and nicotine content of the Barclay cigarette brand equipped with a special filter is demonstrated. The methodology uses human smoking of cigarettes via a cigarette-holder or without this device. Chemical and statistical analyses showed that the levels of tar and nicotine delivered are much higher than the values displayed on the pack.

Les micropolluants organiques dans l'eau. Résultats préliminaires sur les haloformes et les hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques

ZusammenfassungEine regionale Untersuchung über Gewässer verschiedener Herkunft zeigt, dass diese organische Komponente in relativ schwacher Menge vorhanden sind. Eine örtliche Verschmutzung kann sich aber durch gewisse Leitungen, die der Wasserbeförderung dienen, ergeben.SummaryA preliminary campaign of analyses on samples collected in a regional context has shown that those organic substances are present in low concentrations but local pollution can occur via the coated pipe used for the conveyance of water