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Isocratic reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultra violet (UV) detection was optimized for separation and quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Acetonitrile-water mixture (70 : 30 v/v) was used as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.5 mL per minute. The volume of the sample loop was 0.1 mL. The UV detection was carried out at 254 nm. A method for the simultaneous determination of PAHs in aerosols is described. The recoveries of the compounds are in the range of 89–99% for the extraction. The detection limits typically are at the low to sub-ng/m3. Concentrations of PAHs in aerosol samples collected at five different locations in Mumbai, India were measured. In addition to PAHs in ambient aerosols, concentrations of PAHs in indoor aerosol samples, where kerosene is used as cooking fuel, were also measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]