In vitro technique to study elution of benzo[a]pyrene from particulates into biomembranes with application to woodstove particulates.

A method to study elution of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) from carbonaceous particulates into phospholipid vesicles composed of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) was developed. Recoveries of B[a]P at each step of the procedure were quantified, with overall recoveries being 81%. Application of the technique to elution of B[a]P from woodstove particulate revealed that 25% of B[a]P associated with the particulate was eluted into DMPC vesicles in 18 h. From data obtained, it also was possible to evaluate elution of another polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), benzo[k]fluoranthene (B[k]F). Of the total B[k]F associated with woodstove particulate, 68% was eluted. This technique provides a convenient method for evaluating the potential bioavailability of PAH associated with other carbonaceous particulates which occur in the environment.