title: Quantification of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in transformer oils by enzyme immunoassay.
abstract: Many polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are either known or suspected carcinogens and are a common constituent of mineral oils. Due to the large number of possible PAH structures, standard quantification methods fail since they either lack specificity or are too complex, requiring individual fractionation, identification, and quantification. A rapid, low-cost, novel analytical screening method, incorporating a silica-based solid-phase extraction (SPE) method linked to co-solvent dilution and quantification of total and carcinogenic PAH levels by immunoassay, is reported here. The method yielded high extraction efficiencies and minimal matrix effects. This novel approach yielded total and carcinogenic PAH levels x 5.7 and x 126, respectively, lower than that recorded by the industry-recognised BS2000 Pt. 346 (IP346) method which estimates the polyaromatic carbon (PAC) content of oils by gravimetry. The method is expected to be of benefit where an indication of PAH levels in oils is important for purchasing, management or disposal purposes and also for risk assessment and for appropriate labelling of oils in line with current legislation.
authors.affiliation: Cranfield Centre for Analytical Science, Cranfield University, Silsoe, Bedford, UK.
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Setford
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heywood
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pahlavanpour
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saini
mesh_terms: D015197:Carcinogenicity Tests; D002845:Chromatography / Q000379:methods; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005648:Fuel Oils / Q000032:analysis; D008899:Mineral Oil / Q000737:chemistry*; D010578:Petroleum / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D005648:Fuel Oils; D010578:Petroleum; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D008899:Mineral Oil