The identification of sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by using concentration ratios of total PAH and lead

A technique for the identification of the source‐origins of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) present in the atmosphere is described. This technique uses the total concentrations of PAH (determined by capillary column gas chromatography) and Pb (quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry) which are subjected to statistical analysis. It is found that the method is sensitive and can be used to differentiate between sites burdened with different types (traffic, domestic or mixed) of atmospheric PAH pollution.