Specific dual beam fluorometry analysis of benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[k]fluoranthene in diesel exhaust particulate samples.

We developed a specific analysis method for benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and benzo[k]fluoranthene (B[k]F) using dual beam fluorometry. B[a]P and B[k]F exhibited two specific fluorescence intensities (up to 10-fold) compared with 22 other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at 370 nm excitation and 429 nm emission wavelengths, and similarly at 395 nm excitation and 429 nm emission wavelengths. The concentrations of these compounds in diesel exhaust particles were calculated from two calibration curves determined using a mixture of 24 PAH standards. The precision of this detection method was compared with that of conventional high-performance liquid chromatography/fluorescene detector (HPLC/FLD), and our method gave accurate values within the analytical standard deviations. The monitoring method developed in this study will enable more rapid and easier detection.