Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in Volcano island (Aeolian archipelago) mud utilized for therapeutic purpose

This paper examines the possible presence, distribution, nature and sources of 18 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) as constituent of the muds pool collected in Vulcano Aeolian Island. PAHs are important from environmental and toxicological point of view. Analysis was performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM). The total concentration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ranged from 112 to 154 g/Kg of dry matrix. The volcanic muds, used for therapeutic purposes, are moderately contaminated.