Abstract: Method for determining polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration in a solid state sample. The method includes exposing the sample to diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy, recording at least one spectroscopic parameter of infrared diffuse reflection of the sample, which is a signal obtained at one or more frequencies within a range of frequencies (+/?10 cm?1) selected from the group consisting of 3000-3100 cm?1, 740, 777, 814, 842, 1430, 1510, 1600, 4055-4056, 4642-4646, 5924, and 5951-5953 cm?1, and performing data analysis by correlating the at least one spectroscopic parameter with variables of a trained multivariate calibration model related to PAH concentrations, thereby determining PAH concentrations in the sample.

Abstract: The invention refers to the use of a device for determining PAH concentration in a solid state sample, which device comprises a) means for exposing the sample to diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy, b) detecting means for recording at least one spectroscopic parameter of infrared diffuse reflection of said sample, which is a signal obtained at one or more frequencies within a range of frequencies (+/?10 cm?1) selected from the group consisting of 3000-3100 cm?1, 740, 777, 814, 842, 1430, 1510, 1600, 4055-4056, 4642-4646, 5924, and 5951-5953 cm?1, and c) computing means for performing data analysis by correlating the at least one spectroscopic parameter with variables of a trained multivariate calibration model related to PAH concentrations, thereby obtaining prediction of PAH concentrations in the sample, and a method of determining a PAH concentration by diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy.