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EVALUATION OF SENSITIZED FLUORESCENCE FOR POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC HYDROCARBON DETECTION
Citation:
Smith, T. EVALUATION OF SENSITIZED FLUORESCENCE FOR POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC HYDROCARBON DETECTION. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/7-79/207.
Description:
The report gives results of an evaluation of a fluorescent spot test for detecting the presence of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as a screening technique for samples to be analyzed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The test is based on the phenomenon of sensitized fluorescence and is capable of easily detecting 100 picograms of PAH in a 1 microliter sample, a level of sensitivity adequate for screening combustion effluent samples. Two interferences were observed: highly colored samples require dilution to allow viewing of the fluorescence level, and samples containing substantial amounts of phthalate esters produce false positive results. No false negative results were observed in the study. The test is adequate for screening combustion effluent samples prior to GC/MS analysis.