AIR POLLUTION: APPLICATIONS OF SIMPLE LUMINESCENCE TECHNIQUES.
This paper provides an overview of the principles and applications of two simple spectroscopic methods synchronous luminescence (SL) and room temperature phosphorescence (RTP). These methods offer a variety of analytical applications and provide two extremely useful tools for monitoring air pollution. First, RTP and SL can be used for screening large numbers of unfractionated air samples to obtain a preliminary ranking of polynuclear aromatic (PNA) content. Second, these two techniques can also be utilized for detailed identification and quantification of selected PNA compounds in samples that have been fractionated prior to analysis. Finally, the RTP methodology can also be used as a sensitive detection method in a newly developed passive dosimeter that serves as a personnel or area monitor for PNA vapors in the workplace.
