Standard reference materials for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental samples — current activities

Recent activities at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) related to the development of standard reference materials (SRMs) for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are described. These activities include: (1) the development of four new calibration solution SRMs, a marine sediment SRM, and a frozen mussel tissue SRM; (2) noncertified measurements of PAHs for two additional sediment SRMs; and (3) the establishment of reference Ames bioassay mutagenicity values on three existing SRMs. Activities in progress include the recertification of the existing air particulate and diesel particulate SRMs and the preparation of a new diesel particulate extract SRM.