scope:

This Standard specifies a high volume sampling method for the determination of both gas phase and particle phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in ambient air. The method provides a measure of the mean concentration of PAH over the sampling period employed.

Due to their relatively high vapour pressures, naphthalene and acenaphthene may not be efficiently collected by this method. The sampling efficiencies for the PAH of interest may be estimated by determining the dynamic retention efficiency of the sorbent bed. Mean concentrations of 0.05 ng/m³ and greater may be determined using a 24 h sampling period.

NOTE: Sampling is normally of 24 h duration to average diurnal variations in PAH concentrations and enable the collection of sufficient PAH mass for subsequent laboratory analysis.