Characterization of Unsubstituted and Methylated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Screening of Potential Organic Compounds in Solid Waste and Environmental Samples by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic pollutants of global concern due to their environmental abundance, persistence, and high toxicity. In the late 1970s, the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed a set of 16 priority PAHs (PAH16), which has a strong influence on the monitoring studies and toxicity testing of this pollutant class until now. However, PAHs exist in the environment as complex mixtures with a variety of unsubstituted and substituted compounds. Levels and/or toxicity of several high-molecular-weight (HMW) PAHs and PAH-related compounds (e.g., alkylated, oxygenated, nitrated, and heterocyclic derivatives) may be comparable to or even surpass those of PAH16, suggesting the need of a more comprehensive monitoring scheme for this pollutant class. Among PAH Characterization of Unsubstituted and Methylated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Screening of Potential Organic Compounds in Solid Waste and Environmental Samples by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry