Development of a trap for fuel exhaust particulate matter under driving conditions and GC-MS method for their analysis

Abstract

<jats:p>Simple and useful GC/MS method was developed in order to analyze the toluene soluble components in particulate matter from diesel exhaust. Easily adaptable specially designed trap was built which could be mounted on exhaust pipe of different vehicles. It was filled with different materials on which particles were collected. After collection of the particles, the bare trap and different materials were washed and soaked with toluene. In some cases extraction process was speeded up with ultrasonification of the samples for 30 min. Samples were filtered and concentrated to 125‒500 ml and afterwards were directly analyzed by GC/MS. The separated components were identified by Automated Mass Spectral Deconvolution and Identification System (AMDIS) using a specialized user-built library. Five of the identified components[4-methylphenol, 3,3'-dichloro-1,1'-biphenyl, diethyl phthalate, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-methylpropyl) ester and mono(2-ethylhexyl) ester of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid] were found in the European priority lists (Category 1 and Category 2) of endocrine disruptors.</jats:p>