PAH Testing

Columbia Analytical offers PAH testing (polynuclear or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) using HRMS (High-Resolution Mass Spectroscopy). We test PAHs in air, water, soil, sediment, tissue, and industrial products, including food.

In 2008, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain published an opinion paper regarding PAHs in Food. From this study the EFSA identified a list of four indicator PAHs most prevalent in the 33 food categories evaluated: benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, benz[a]anthracene and benzo[b]fluoranthene. For the study, approximately 10,000 food products were submitted with PAH levels from the 18 member states of the European Union. Between 50-60% of all samples were found to contain one or more of the PAH indicator compounds.

PAHs are composed of two or more fused aromatic rings, which are made up of a large class of organic compounds. Some PAHs are considered carcinogenic to humans and have been found in such matrices as polluted air, foods cooked at high temperatures, and tobacco smoke to name a few.