MPL Laboratories

PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are complex compounds found in the environment which have been associated with health problems of the skin, body fluids and the ability to fight disease. 

PAHs are formed naturally during an incomplete burning process, or can be manufactured.  Naturally occurring PAHs can be found on char-grilled steak, tobacco and the soot in your fire, as well as in exhaust emissions from cars, planes and trucks.  Manufactured PAHs are found in coal tar, asphalt, pesticides, dyes and even some plastics.  PAHs are found in the air, in water and also soil.

At MPL Laboratories, we have new instruments and dedicated analysts to help with the assessment of risk associated with PAHs.  Contact us to see how we can work together to give you the best solution.

There are over 100 PAH compounds, but analysis is usually limited to a group of 16.  This is because regulators know more about these compounds than others, and we are more likely to be exposed to them.

The standard 16 PAHs have been found in high concentrations at contaminated sites around the world, so they are used as the indicators analytes for Contaminated Site Assessment.

PAHs are analysed by GCMS (Gas Chromatography using a Mass Spectrometer Detector). The PAHs are extracted from the sample with solvent, and injected onto a GC column. A flow of inert gas sweeps the sample through a narrow column, separating the components. At the detector, a strong magnetic field separates the molecules and molecular fragments according to mass.  The Mass Spectrometer records these masses, which are then compared to spectral libraries and standards to confirm the identity and amount of the compounds of interest.