Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon generation in heat-processed sundried salt

Abstract

An investigation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) generation in sundried salt samples was conducted. Of the 16 priority PAHs tested for, naphthalene was revealed as the most dominant PAH, with residual concentrations measured as 0.33 to 7.02 ng/g after sundried salt heat processing over temperatures ranging from 250 to 700°C. Eleven organic carbon sources were tested to determine the relationship between carbon source and PAH generation under various heat-processing conditions. Citric acid was found to be the most significant contributor to PAH generation in salt. Investigations of PAH contamination levels were conducted for 32 commercial sundried salts and 73 heat-processed salts; none of the PAHs tested for were detected in any of the commercial salts examined.