Assessment of exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers associated with consumption of market hens in Guangzhou.

To evaluate contamination by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in market hens and human PBDE exposure via hen consumption in Guangzhou, hens were collected and their muscle, liver, fat, blood, yolk, and ingluvies tissues were analyzed for 13 PBDE congeners. The median highest concentration of ∑PBDEs was found in the ingluvies (5.30 ng/g lw), followed by the muscle (2.53 ng/g lw), with the lowest located in the yolk (0.09 ng/g lw). The concentrations of PBDEs in the muscle tissue of market hens in Guangzhou were at medium levels compared to others reported around the world. BDE-47, -153, -99, and -183 were the predominant congeners. The daily intake concentrations of PBDEs from hen muscle were estimated to range from 0.08 to 0.31 ng/kg/day in this study, with a Hazard Quotient (HQ) below 1.0. These results suggest that the health risk of PBDEs for the general population, through the consumption of market hens in Guangzhou, was generally low. However, the intake of PBDEs via food consumption may be one major exposure pathway for the general population of Guangzhou.

[Light Absorption Properties of Water-Soluble Organic Carbon (WSOC ) Associated with Particles in Autumn and Winter in the Urban Area of Guangzhou].

Light absorption properties of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) were investigated in the urban area of Guangzhou. The fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and size-segregated samples were collected in September and December of 2014 and January of 2015. The variation of absorption with wavelength of WSOC was characterized by the absorption Angström exponent (AAEabs). The AAE values of WSOC in PM2.5 were 3.72 ± 0.41 in autumn and 3.91 ± 0.70 in winter, which were lower than those in Beijing and north America. The mass absorption efficiency (MAE) of WSOC at 365 nm wavelength was 0.52 m² · g⁻¹ in autumn and 0.92 m² · g⁻¹ in winter, exhibiting distinct variations between autumn and winter. In winter, the MAEwsoc values exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing particle size, and all size-segregated MAE(WSOC) values in autumn were lower than those in winter, particularly for the particles < 0.95 µm, suggesting more contribution of the secondary formation to WSOC. Comparing the MAE values of elemental carbon (EC) and WSOC, it could be found that the contribution of WSOC to the light extinction of particles couldn't be ignored when the particles were mainly emitted from primary sources.

[Levels, distribution and possible sources of polychlorinated biphenyls in river sediments from an electronic waste recycling area].

The concentrations of 144 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the river sediments from Luqiao were analyzed by GC-muECD. The objectives of this study were to understand the contents, spatial distribution and possible sources of PCBs. The Sigma PCBs concentrations detected in the river sediments were in the range of 1.66 to 5 930 ng x g(-1), with a mean of 763 ng x g(-1). Tri-CBs, tetra-CBs and penta-CBs were the primary PCB congeners in all samples, accounting for 2.63%-57.6%, 10.4%-54.6% and 7.82%-46.1%, respectively. Octa-CBs and deca-CBs were the minor PCB congeners in all samples, with the percentages of 0-8.57% and 0-11.0%, respectively. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) showed that 22 samples were mainly polluted by Ar1248, 9 samples were polluted by Ar1254, and 6 samples were contaminated by Ar1016, Ar1232 and Ar1242. The PCBs concentrations found in the present study were at an upper-middle level compared with those in other studies in the world. The PCBs pollution in the present area had a high ecological risk.

[Characteristics of polychlorinated biphenyls in soils from an electronic waste recycling area].

The concentrations of 144 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the soils from Luqiao were analyzed by GC-microECD. The objectives of this study were to understand the contents, spatial distribution and sources. The sigma PCBs concentrations in soils samples were in the range of 0.779 ng x g(-1) to 937 ng x g(-1), with a mean of 75.7 ng x g(-1), and the relatively high level of PCBs were mainly distributed in the south central area. Penta-CBs, hexa-CBs and tetra-CBs were the primary homologues in 38 samples, with the range of 13.0% - 61.1%, 4.59% - 48.8% and 10.1% - 31.5%, respectively. Di-CBs was the most predominant homologues in other samples, with the range of 47.1% - 75.2%. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) showed that most of samples were mainly polluted by Ar1254, few samples were polluted by Ar1221. Significant correlations were observed between sigma PCBs and TOC, which suggested PCBs were affected by TOC in soils. The correlation analysis also showed significant correlation among the PCBs homologues (except di-CBs and nona-CBs), which suggested PCBs might have the similar sources. Compared to other studies from different countries and regions, the PCBs concentrations in the present study were at an upper-middle level.

[Level, distribution, and source identification of polychlorinated naphthalenes in surface agricultural soils from an electronic waste recycling area].

The concentration of 46 polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) in the agricultural soils from Luqiao was analyzed by GC-NCI-MS. The objectives of this study were to investigate the contents, spatial distribution and sources of PCNs. The total concentrations of PCNs (sigma PCNs) in soil samples were in the range of 0.062 to 2.92 ng x g(-1), with a mean of 0.630 ng x g(-1). Tetra-CNs and penta-CNs were the predominant homologues in most of the samples, accounting for 18.4% - 88.8% and 8.40% - 53.1%, with average values of 46.7% and 30.7%, respectively, followed by tri-CNs, accounting for 0 - 47.3%, with a mean of 10.6%. Cluster analysis and combustion marker analysis showed that the sampling sites were mainly polluted by Halowax 1014 and Halowax 1013, also possibly polluted by PCBs mixtures and e-waste combustion process. Compared to other studies, the PCNs concentration in this study was at a medium level.

Levels and distribution of synthetic musks and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sludge collected from Guangdong Province.

The levels and distribution of six polycyclic musks, three nitromusks and 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in sludge collected from 19 municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in six cities in Guangdong Province, China. PAHs were detected in all of the sludge samples, and the levels of the total 15 PAHs ranged from 177.2-4421.8 µg/kg dry weight (dw). Four polycyclic musks, 4-acetyl-1,1-dimethyl-6-tert-butylindan (ADBI), 6-acetyl-1,1,2,3,3,5-hexamethylindan (AHMI), 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta (g) -2-benzopyran (HHCB) and 7-acetyl -1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro naphthalene (AHTN), were found in these samples. The total concentrations of polycyclic musks varied from 794.4-12960.3 µg/kg dw, with HHCB and AHTN being the main components. Of the three nitromusks, 2,6-dinitro-3-methoxy-4-tert- butyl - toluene (MA) was only found in one sludge sample at the limit of detection (LOD) level, while 1-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (Musk xylene, MX) and 4-acetyl-1-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzene (Musk ketone, MK) were found at levels ranging from the LOD to 65.8 µg/kg dw and LOD to 172.7 µg/kg dw, respectively, in most of the sludge samples. The PAHs, polycyclic musks and nitro musks were also shown to have various distribution patterns, possibly due to their different wastewater sources and wastewater treatment technology.

Concentrations and seasonal variations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in in- and out-house dust and human daily intake via dust ingestion corrected with bioaccessibility of PBDEs.

The objective of this study was to investigate the concentrations, seasonal variations, bioaccessibility, and associated human daily intake of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in in- and out-house dust collected in Shanghai, China. The PBDE concentrations varied from 131.6 to 3,886.7 ng g(-1) (with an average of 948.2 ng g(-1)) in in-house dust and from 8.7 to 3,116.3 ng g(-1) (with an average of 290.8 ng g(-1)) in out-house dust during four seasons. The PBDE concentrations in the autumn were the lowest for both in- and out-house dust. Among the detected PBDEs, BDE209 was the predominant congener, accounting for more than 80% of the total PBDE amounts. The bioaccessibility of PBDEs, measured using a simulation system of human gastrointestinal tract, was determined as 14.2-66.4% depending on individual PBDE congeners and showed significant negative correlations with organic matter in dust. After corrected with the bioaccessibility of PBDEs, the human daily intake of PBDEs via dust ingestion was calculated to be 0.4-21.4 and 4.3-40.6 ng day(-1) for an average adult and child in Shanghai, respectively. The values were much lower than most estimates in the literature, in which the bioaccessibility of PBDEs were not taken into account, suggesting that the intake of PBDEs may have been overestimated.

Diepoxybutane induces the formation of DNA-DNA rather than DNA-protein cross-links, and single-strand breaks and alkali-labile sites in human hepatocyte L02 cells.

1,3-Butadiene (BD) is an air pollutant and a known carcinogen. 1,2,3,4-Diepoxybutane (DEB), one of the major in vivo metabolites of BD, is considered the ultimate culprit of BD mutagenicity/carcinogenicity. DEB is a bifunctional alkylating agent, being capable of inducing the formation of monoalkylated DNA adducts and DNA cross-links, including DNA-DNA and DNA-protein cross-links (DPC). In the present study, we investigated DEB-caused DNA cross-links and breaks in human hepatocyte L02 cells using comet assay. With alkaline comet assay, it was observed that DNA migration increased with the increase of DEB concentration at lower concentrations (10-200µM); however, at higher concentrations (200-1000µM), DNA migration decreased with the increase of DEB concentration. This result indicated the presence of cross-links at >200µM, which was confirmed by the co-treatment experiments using the second genotoxic agents, tert-butyl hydroperoxide and methyl methanesulfonate. At 200µM, which appeared as a threshold, the DNA migration-retarding effect of cross-links was just observable by the co-treatment experiments. At <200µM, the effect of cross-links was too weak to be detected. The DEB-induced cross-links were determined to be DNA-DNA ones rather than DPC through incubating the liberated DNA with proteinase K prior to unwinding and electrophoresis. However, at the highest DEB concentration tested (1000µM), a small proportion of DPC could be formed. In addition, the experiments using neutral and weakly alkaline comet assays showed that DEB did not cause double-strand breaks, but did induce single-strand breaks (SSB) and alkali-labile sites (ALS). Since SSB and ALS are repaired more rapidly than cross-links, the results suggested that DNA-DNA cross-links, rather than DPC, were probably responsible for mutagenicity/carcinogenicity of DEB.

[Levels, distribution and possible sources of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in river sediments from an electronic waste recycling area].

The concentrations of 41 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the river sediments from Luqiao were analyzed by GC-NCI-MS. The objectives of this study were to understand the contents, spatial distribution and sources. The Sigma40 PBDEs (excluding BDE209) concentrations in sediments sampled were in the range of 0.177 to 161 ng x g(-1), with a mean of 22.5 ng x g(-1), and the concentrations of BDE209 were from 0.36 to 958 ng x g(-1), with a mean of 148 ng x g(-1). Deca-BDE was the most predominant in 9 PBDE homologues in most of samples, accounting for 38.4%-96.0%, with an average of 74.4% nona-BDEs and hepta-BDEs, accounting for 3.3%-25.8% and 0.01%-14.1%, respectively. Significant correlations were observed among all of PBDEs congeners, which suggested these PBDEs might have the similar sources. The homologue composition of PBDEs and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) showed that most of sampling sites were mainly polluted by deca-BDE formulation, and others polluted by deca-BDE and octa-BDE formulations. Compared to other studies from different countries and regions, the PBDEs concentrations in the present study were at a medium-to-low level. But it should be concerned that a few of sampling sites were highly contaminated by point sources.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in food and associated human daily intake assessment considering bioaccessibility measured by simulated gastrointestinal digestion.

The concentrations of PBDEs in 299 vegetable and animal-based food samples of 31 species, collected in Shanghai, China, and the bioaccessibility of PBDEs in part of the samples were determined. The PBDE concentrations ranged from 0 to 1245.4pgg(-1) with animal-based food containing more PBDEs than vegetables. The bioaccessibility of PBDEs, determined by a method simulating human gastrointestinal digestion process, were from 2.6% to 39.9% in vegetables, and from 5.2% to 105.3% in animal-based food. For animal-based food, good correlations were observed between the bioaccessibility of PBDEs and the fat content, thus the fat content in animal-based food was able to be used to estimate the bioaccessibility of PBDEs. The total daily intake of PBDEs via ingestion of vegetables and animal-based food for an average Shanghai resident was estimated as 13235.7 and 13668.0pg d(-1), respectively, but the amounts available for human absorption were reduced to 2674.4 and 4316.6pgd(-1) after the PBDE bioaccessibility was considered. Finally, the contributions of different food groups to the total daily intake of PBDEs were evaluated. The results revealed that, when not considering the bioaccessibility of PBDEs, vegetables were the leading contributor (49.2%), followed by fish (34.0%). However, the sequence was reversed after the PBDE bioaccessibility was taken into account. The results indicated that human exposure to PBDEs via food ingestion might have been significantly overestimated and the exposure assessment could be misleading if the bioaccessibility of PBDEs was not considered.

[Residues of organochlorine pesticides in urban soil of Shanghai].

The 55 soil samples were collected from Shanghai urban areas in March 2007. The residues and distribution characteristics of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the soil samples were investigated with gas chromatography. The results showed that HCHs, DDTs, and HCB were in the ranges of nd-38.58 microg x kg(-1), 1.81-79.61 microg x kg(-1) and 0.16-40.25 microg x kg(-1), respectively. The total OCPs concentrations in urban soil of Shanghai ranged from 3.12 microg x kg(-1) to 91.07 microg x kg(-1) with a mean of 22.33 microg x kg(-1), and the p,p'-DDE took over 60% of the total OCPs. The main contaminated areas were distributed in the park and greenbelts. The composition of OCPs indicated that OCPs in soil samples mainly came from historical application. Compared to the reference data, the pollution burden in soil of Shanghai was lower than those in other areas of China and in German, Argentina and Poland.

[Distribution, possible source and ecological risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in river sediments from a typical contaminated area].

The concentrations of 16 US EPA PAHs in 37 sediment samples collected from Luqiao were analyzed by isotope dilution gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS), and their distribution characters,sources and ecological risk were further investigated. Each of the 16 PAHs could be detected in all of the sediment samples, the total concentrations of the 16 PAHs in the sediments ranged from 59.3 microg/kg to 3 180 microg/kg,with a mean of 722 microg/kg. The pollution level of PAHs can be categorized as low to moderate when compared with other studies around the world. SigmaPAHs were significantly correlated with TOC (r = 0.699, p < 0.001), indicating that TOC was a key soil property affecting the level and fate of PAHs in sediments. The isomeric ratios and factor analysis revealed that PAHs in the Luqiao sediments were originated from mixed sources, and combustion source was dominant. Six sampling sites had the mean PAH ERL quotient > 1, indicating that some sediments in Luqiao may have potential ecological risk. The toxic benzo[a]pyrene equivalents (TEQ(BaP)) of the 16 PAHs ranged from 3.41 microg/kg to 485 microg/kg, 98.4% of which was contributed by 7 carcinogenic PAHs, indicating that 7 PAHs were the main influential factors to the ecological risk.

Assessment of the bioaccessibility of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in foods and the correlations of the bioaccessibility with nutrient contents.

Bioaccessibility of a contaminant in foods is the fraction of the contaminant mobilized from the food matrices during gastrointestinal digestion. In the present paper, the bioaccessibility of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in 13 types of foods, including fish, meat, rice, flour, and vegetables, was determined using an in vitro digestion method. The bioaccessibility obtained ranged from 2.6% to 41.3%. It was found that the bioaccessibility of PBDEs exhibited positive correlations with fat and carbohydrate contents and negative correlations with protein and dietary fiber contents in the foods. Fat was the most important factor affecting the bioaccessibility of PBDEs. The mechanism underlying the correlations was discussed in view of partition of PBDEs between liquid and solid phases. To our knowledge, this is the first article systematically investigating the bioaccessibility of PBDEs in foods and demonstrating the influence of the food constituents on the bioaccessibility of PBDEs.

[Ambient levels of carbonyl compounds in Shanghai, China].

A ternary-mobile phase program with acetonitrile, water and tetrahydrofuran was developed to identify and quantify 22 carbonyl compounds species by HPLC-UV. The analytical method succeeded in separating acrolein from acetone. Two sampling sites (industrial district and business district) were chosen to study carbonyl compounds levels in ambient air of Shanghai. The results indicated that formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone and 2-butanone (C1-C4 carbonyl compounds) were the most abundant carbonyl compounds in ambient air of Shanghai. The four carbonyls together accounted for 78.95% (industrial district) and 77.63% (business district) of the total carbonyl compounds, respectively. In industrial district, the mean concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone and 2-butanone were 10.36, 15.32, 9.95 and 4.56 microg/m3, respectively; in business district, their mean levels were 10.00, 10.04, 7.80 and 2.81 microg/m3, respectively. So the mean levels of C1-C4 carbonyl compounds in industrial district were higher than in business district. The higher concentrations of the total carbonyls were also found in industrial district (53.64 microg/m3) than in business district (41.96 microg/m3). A similar diel variation occurred to the two districts that higher carbonyl concentrations were shown in morning peak and nighttime than in other three periods.

[Characteristics and sources of particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during haze period in Guangzhou].

PM10 (particulates matter with aerodynamic diameter < 10 microm) samples were collected at Liwan and Wushan site in Guangzhou city between March 2002 and June 2003. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied during haze and non-haze periods in both summer and winter. PAHs pollution was serious in haze period compared with that in non-haze period, especially in winter. Compared with non-haze period, Phe, Ant, Flu, Pyr, BaA, Chr, IcdP, DahA and BghiP were more abundant in haze period in summer, and BaF, BeP, BaP, Pery, IcdP, DahA and BghiP were more abundant in haze period in winter. The BEQ values were 3.5 ng x m(-3), 3.35 ng x m(-3), 1.43 ng x m(-3) and 13.0 ng x m(-3) in non-haze in summer, in haze in summer, in non-haze in winter and in haze in winter, respectively. The BEQ values in non-haze in summer, in haze in summer and in non-haze in winter in Guangzhou (average: 2.76 ng x m(-3)) were relatively low in Chinese cities, and comparable with oversea cities. However, the BEQ value in haze in winter was relatively high in Chinese cities. It indicated that haze in winter would impair human health seriously. The diagnostic ratios suggested gasoline and diesel vehicle emission were main sources of PAHs in summer, and diesel vehicle and coal combustion emission were main sources of PAHs in winter; PAHs may come from both local sources and long-range transportation in non-haze in winter.

Gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometric analysis of the stable carbon composition of tetrols.

The stable carbon isotope compositions of tetrols, erythritol and threitol were determined by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS). Using four tetrols with various delta(13)C values derivatized by methylboronic acid, the carbon isotope analysis method achieved excellent reproducibility and high accuracy. There was no carbon isotopic fractionation during the derivatization processes. The differences in the carbon isotopic compositions of methylboronates between the measured and calculated ranged from -0.20 to 0.12 per thousand, within the specification of the GC/C/IRMS system. It was demonstrated that delta(13)C values of tetrols could be calculated by a simple mass balance equation between tetrols, methylboronic acid, and methylboronates. The analogous 2-methyltetrols, marker compounds of photooxidation products of atmospheric isoprene, should have similar behavior using the same derivatization reagent. This method may provide insight on sources and sinks of atmospheric isoprene.

[Distribution character of synthetic musks in urban sewage sludges].

The characteristics of occurrence and distribution of 8 synthetic musks in 15 sewage sludges in Shanghai were studied. The results indicated that HHCB and AHTN were the two main components in all sludges, with the mean concentration of 2.92 mg x kg(-1) (0.81-6.39 mg x kg(-1)) and 1.96 mg x kg(-1) (0.35-3.11 mg x kg(-1)), respectively; and the concentrations of ADBI, AHMI, MK were less. The distributions detected in sludges are in accordance with the usage patterns in China. Total concentrations of 8 synthetic musks were ranged from 1.16-9.57 mg x kg(-1), which were lower than the results in previous studies. Concentrations in sludges are influenced by ratio of domestic wastewater in influent, sewage load and sewage treatment methods. The good linear relationships among HHCB, AHTN and ADBI indicate that these components have the same source: domestic wastewater. The consumption rates of HHCB and AHTN connected to per inhabitant in Shanghai region were estimated, which are low compared with those found in European. The potential impacts on agricultural soil were also assessed.

Occurrence, distribution and possible sources of organochlorine pesticides in agricultural soil of Shanghai, China.

Surface soil samples from agricultural soil of Shanghai were collected and analyzed for 24 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The concentrations were in the ranges of nd-10.38 n gg(-1) for HCHs (sum of alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-HCH), 0.77-247.45 ng g(-1) for DDTs (sum of p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, and o,p'-DDT), 0.84-10.08 ng g(-1) for CHLs (sum of heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, and trans-nonachlor), nd-3.68 ng g(-1) for endosulfan (sum of alpha- and beta-endosulfan), 0.10-3.62 ng g(-1) for HCB and nd-5.69 ng g(-1) for other OCPs (sum of aldrin, dieldrin and endrin). The total OCPs concentrations ranged from 3.16 to 265.24 ng g(-1) and the main contaminated areas were distributed in the south regions of Shanghai (including Fengxian, Nanhui and Jinshan districts). According to the measured concentrations and detection frequencies, HCHs, DDTs, HCB and heptachlor epoxide were the most dominant compounds among the 24 OCPs. The different compositions of DDT, HCH, chlordane and endosulfan indicated that the residues of these compounds in most soil samples originated from historical application, besides slight recent introduction at some sampling locations. The correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between TOC and OCPs. The quality of Shanghai agricultural soil was classified as low pollution by OCPs.

Levels, composition profiles and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban soil of Shanghai, China.

Levels, composition profiles and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in 55 surface soil samples collected from Shanghai urban districts. The total concentrations of 22 PAHs (SigmaPAHs) ranged from 442 to 19,700 microgkg(-1), with a mean of 3780 microgkg(-1), and the sum of 16 priority PAHs (Sigma16PAHs) varied from 347 to 17,900 microgkg(-1), with a mean of 3290 microgkg(-1), and the seven possible carcinogenic PAHs (Sigma7CarPAHs) accounted for 36-58% of Sigma16PAHs. Among different functional areas, the higher level of PAHs was found in the roadside, followed by greenbelt, commercial district, park, and residential district. The composition of PAHs was characterized by the high molecular weight PAHs, among which fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and chrysene were most dominant components. A correlation analysis showed that there was relatively good correlation among the individual PAHs, but the contents of PAHs were poorly correlated with soil total organic carbon (TOC). A principal component analysis and PAHs isomeric ratios indicate that PAHs in Shanghai urban soil mainly originated from combustion. The toxic assessment suggested that soil PAHs exposure is medium carcinogenic at present level.

Determination of gaseous carbonyl compounds by their pentafluorophenyl hydrazones with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

A sensitive and reliable method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of 20 airborne carbonyl compounds in the C(1)-C(10) range. The carbonyls were collected onto solid sorbent coated with pentafluorophenyl hydrazine (PFPH), followed by solvent extraction and gas chromatographic (GC)/mass spectrometric (MS) analysis of the PFPH derivatives. The sorbent is packed into two separate sections in a glass sampling tube. The two-section design allows convenient checking of collection efficiency and breakthrough. The sampling tube, with a coating amount of 971 nmol PFPH per 100 mg Tenax TA and operated at a sampling flow rate of 80 mL min(-1), collects the 20 carbonyls with efficiencies above 95%. Hexane extracts the collected carbonyls in their PFPH derivatives in the sampling tube with better than 95% extraction efficiency. It is necessary to let the sampling tube sit at ambient temperature for 3 days before solvent extraction to ensure complete derivatization of the carbonyls. The limits of detection (LODs) of the tested carbonyls are in the range of 3.7-11.6 ng per sample. The method has been field-tested both in ambient environment and in an indoor environment from burning mosquito-repellent incense. Eighteen carbonyls were detected in the ambient air samples with the exception of o-tolualdehyde and m-tolualdehyde, while all the 20 target carbonyls were found in the incense smoke. Compare field test with classical DNPH-HPLC/UV method, good agreement exited between the two methods for lower molecular carbonyls but PFPH method is found to be a better analytical method for determination of high molecular weight carbonyls.