Recovery and reactivity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons collected on selected sorbent tubes and analyzed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

•Parameters for thermal desorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were evaluated.•Optimal conditions for PAH standard loading were determined.•Different sorbent tube materials were tested for recovery of PAHs.•Reactivity of PAHs was observed using stainless steel Carbograph sorbent tubes.