Abstract
Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (REMPI-TOF-MS) is a robust method for real-time analysis of monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in complex emissions. A mobile system has been developed which enables direct analysis on site. In this paper, we utilize a multicomponent calibration scheme based on the analytes’ photo-ionisation cross-sections relative to a calibrated species. This allows semi-quantification of a great number of components by only calibrating one compound of choice, here toluene. The cross-sections were determined by injecting nebulised solutions of aromatic compounds into the TOF-MS ion source with the help of a HPLC pump. Then, REMPI-TOF-MS was implemented at various chassis dynamometers and test cells and the exhaust of the following vehicles and engines investigated: a compression ignition light-duty (LD) passenger car, a compression ignition LD van, two spark ignition LD passenger cars, 2 two-stroke mopeds, and a two-stroke engine of a string gas trimmer. The quantitative time profiles of benzene are shown. The results indicate that two-stroke engines are a significant source for toxic and cancerogenic compounds. Air pollution and health effects caused by gardening equipment might still be underestimated.
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Acknowledgment
The VELA staff is very much acknowledged for their skillful technical assistance, the fruitful discussions and the nice atmosphere, in particular R. Colombo, M. Sculati, G. Lanappe, P. Le Lijour, S. Alessandrini, F. Forni, F. Montigni and F. Mühlberger
The health effects of organic compounds in anthropogenic aerosols are currently further investigated in the framework of the Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health, HICE (www.hice-vi.eu)
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Adam, T.W., Clairotte, M., Streibel, T. et al. Real-time analysis of aromatics in combustion engine exhaust by resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (REMPI-TOF-MS): a robust tool for chassis dynamometer testing. Anal Bioanal Chem 404, 273–276 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-012-6112-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-012-6112-6