Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Leafy Vegetables, a Comparison of the Nordic Results

摘要

As a part of an inter-Nordic research program on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the environment, 19 Norwegian samples of lettuces and kails have been analyzed. The purpose of this part of the project is twofold: (a) establishing the PAH level in Nordic vegetables and (b) studying the relationship between PAH level and localized emitters. Up to 34 PAH components have been identified and quantified in a sample, but the PAH-level in Nordic leafy vegetables is generally low (40-215 ppb). The PAH composition in vegetables depends on the emission sources, and leafy vegetables seem to be suitable indicators for local PAH emitters.