Analysis of Organic Particulate Matter

Abstract

The organic fraction of airborne particulate matter contains hundreds or even up to thousands of chemical components of natural and anthropogenic origin. Many of them have received considerable attention in recent years due to their adverse health effects. To understand the extent of human exposure to such contaminants reliable methods for sampling, sample preparation and analysis of airborne particulate matter have to be employed. Reliable techniques require detailed method validation and careful evaluation regarding efficiency. Nowadays, the analysis of most particulate organics of environmental significance has developed to high standards. The complexity of the samples, however, continues to promote research interest, often directed towards achieving more convenient and cost-effective methods.