Abstract
In order to compare analytical conditions for measuring PAHs(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in ambient air, a series of experiment were conducted using three different types of extraction methods that include:(1) accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), (2) soxhlet, and (3) sonification methods. Efficiency and relevant analytixal parameters for each of these methods were examined on five different types of solvents that include:(1) 10% diethyl ether in n-hexane(v/v), (2) dichloromethane, (3)cyclohexane.(4) toluene, and (5) Benzene: ethanol (4:1). Comparison of extraction efficiency for various combinations between methods and solvents was made through an application of both internal and external standard calibration techniques. The extraction efficiency tests, when checked using both internal and external standards, allowed us to derive meaningful comparison among different techniques and among solvents.