Analysis of compounds in airborne dust collected in Beijing

A comprehensive analysis of the organic compounds of the airborne dust collected in Beijing University of Post and Telecommunications has been carried out by combined application of four analytic methods including infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and thermogravimetric analysis. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the main organic constituents in the dust and seek an efficient method for analysis of the organic compounds. The results show that weight percentage of the organic compounds and "black" carbon is about 20% of the dust. The main constituents of the organic compounds are a series of alkanes (C/sub 7/-C/sub 40+/) and two ortho-benzendicarboxylic acid esters. These materials probably are from the chimney of the central heating station and exhaust gas of vehicles. Evidences show that the organics in dust may also contribute to electrical contact failures of connectors and cannot be ignored.