Improving the Analysis of European Union PAHs

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemical compounds that result from combustion of organic substances of from food processing. Some PAHs are of particular concern for human health. food contamination with PAHs largely comes from production practices, although environmental contamination is also an issue. The EU has set maximum levels of PAHs in foodstuffs via Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 amended by Regulation (EU) No 835/2011, which added limits for the sum of four PAHs in foodstuffs. This application note describes PAH analysis using Zebron ZB-PAH GC columns by Phenomenex.