THE SAMPLING OF COKE-OVEN EMISSIONS FOR POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS - A CRITICAL-REVIEW

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are believed to be among the most harmful organic compounds emitted from coke ovens. Awareness of occupational health hazards is increasing and long-term monitoring of worker exposure to PAHs is becoming mandatory. We review the methods that have been used for sampling airborne PAHs at coke ovens, discuss the sources of sampling error and suggest the manner in which better sampling devices might be constructed. Sampling is usually performed by filtration (e.g. 'benzene soluble fraction' test) or by filtration followed by back-up collection using a solid adsorbent. Errors arise from incomplete trapping of material, evaporative losses, chemical degradation or incomplete recovery. We indicate the ways in which these errors may be minimized and point to areas where further work is required. Sampling is the most neglected stage in the analysis of airborne PAHs and new methods are required to satisfy the needs of industrial hygienists in the coking industry. © 1990.