A micro-scale analytical method combined with PTV-GC–MS to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human lungs

Abstract The analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in human lungs is a challenge, due to low amount of target analytes, low amount of available sample and complexity of the matrix. In this study, a micro-scale analytical method is proposed to determine PAH in human lungs. The method employs micro-scale extraction, clean-up, and programmable temperature vaporisation-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (PTV-GC-MS) analysis. The sample treatment was minimized. PTV was an excellent option to introduce up to 50 µL with a variation of