Fast aerosol analysis by Fourier transform imaging fluorescence microscopy

Fourier transform imaging spectroscopy was combined with fluorescence microscopy and a cooled CCD detector for fast analysis of aerosols contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Aerosols were collected on glass fiber filters and inspected, for the first time, by this imaging technique, which provides a full fluorescence spectrum at each pixel. Mapping of PAH contamination was carried out and used for identification and quantification of the compounds. Quantification limits (based. on 95% confidence intervals of calibration plots) in the 10 ng cm(-2) range on filter are reported, which corresponds to 20 ng m(-3) in air, integrated in 1 min. The absolute detection limit (on filter) is estimated as low as 0.25 pg, corresponding to an air concentration of 0.5 pg m(-3) integrated in 1 min. The method is examined for analysis of monocomponent contamination and for simple mixtures. After a proper automation, this method has the potential to provide in situ and on-line results regarding particulate airborne PAH contaminations.