Approaches to the source evaluation of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fine particles

Chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ClPAHs) have been recognized as novel hazardous pollutants; however, the dominant sources remain unclear. This study investigates the occurrences of ClPAHs in five stages of size-segregated particles collected from an urban site and evaluates the sources and factors affecting the concentrations using organic and inorganic source tracers. ClPAHs are the most frequently detected in the finest particle fraction (less than 1.1 µm; PM1.1), similar to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), hopanes, and levoglucosan (LEV). The concentrations of total ClPAHs in PM1.1 shows a significant correlation (p