PAH testing of bituminous asphalt – Cofrac-accredited laboratory

BJL Laboratoires analyses 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in waste bituminous asphalt by GC-MS in accordance with NF EN 17503, under Cofrac accreditation No. 1-0973.

This analysis characterises materials from pavements, milling and planing operations and roadworks before reuse, recycling, recovery or transfer to an appropriate waste route.

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Analysis of 16 PAHs in waste bituminous asphalt

BJL Laboratoires' accreditation scope includes the analysis of waste bituminous asphalt. Pretreatment consists of crushing to below 4 mm, homogenisation and quartering in accordance with NF EN 15002. Dry matter is determined gravimetrically in accordance with NF EN 15934. PAHs are then extracted from the matrix and quantified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in accordance with NF EN 17503.

Cofrac accreditation No. 1-0973. The scope and its validity must be checked on the Cofrac website.

Which 16 PAHs are analysed?

BJL Laboratoires tests for the following 16 compounds in waste bituminous asphalt:

• Acenaphthene
• Acenaphthylene
• Anthracene
• Benz[a]anthracene
• Benzo[b]fluoranthene
• Benzo[k]fluoranthene
• Benzo[ghi]perylene
• Benzo[a]pyrene
• Chrysene
• Dibenz[a,h]anthracene
• Fluoranthene
• Fluorene
• Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene
• Naphthalene
• Phenanthrene
• Pyrene

The report provides the analytical results required to characterise the material. For a detailed explanation of the method, see our page on analysis of PAHs by GC-MS.

Why test for PAHs before roadworks?

Older pavements may contain binders or materials with higher PAH concentrations than modern road bitumen. Laboratory analysis provides quantitative data before planing, demolition, recycling or disposal operations.

• characterise road cores or reclaimed asphalt planings;
• prepare for road planing or resurfacing;
• assess reuse or recycling options;
• prepare the transfer of materials to a receiving facility;
• document the management of road construction waste.

PAH testing and historical road tar

Coal tars historically used in road construction may be associated with high PAH concentrations. Visual inspection is not sufficient to determine the PAH concentration of asphalt. Laboratory testing quantifies the PAHs present and provides an objective basis for characterising the material.

However, the PAH concentration alone must not be treated as an automatic regulatory classification of the waste. The final destination depends on the context, intended uses and criteria of the relevant waste or recovery route. See our page on PAHs in asphalt: thresholds, recycling and waste routes.

Which materials can be analysed?

The service applies in particular to waste bituminous asphalt from road cores, road planings, street surfacing, car parks and other bituminous road materials. Where several layers can technically be separated, their identification and separation are important to preserve the representativeness of the results.

Before PAH testing: check for asbestos

BJL's currently published conditions require an asbestos test report for the asphalt, issued by an accredited laboratory, to be provided before PAH testing is carried out. If asbestos is confirmed, PAH testing is not performed. BJL can direct you to the appropriate service. See asbestos and PAH testing of road asphalt.

How much sample should be sent?

BJL's currently published sample submission form specifies a minimum mass of 200 g for PAH testing. The layers to be analysed must be clearly identified. Practical instructions are available in our guide to sampling and shipping asphalt for PAH testing.

Who is PAH testing of asphalt intended for?

BJL Laboratoires supports civil engineering and utilities contractors, local authorities, project owners, project managers, environmental consultancies, surveyors, road network managers and operators of recovery facilities. Samples can be sent to the laboratory from anywhere in France.

Why choose BJL Laboratoires?

• Cofrac accreditation No. 1-0973 for the service covered by the current scope;
• 16 PAHs quantified by GC-MS in accordance with NF EN 17503;
• pretreatment and dry matter determination according to the references stated in the scope;
• laboratory located in Sèvres, Hauts-de-Seine, France;
• receipt of samples from anywhere in France;
• complementary expertise in asbestos, soil, lead and other environmental analyses.

Frequently asked questions

Is PAH testing of asphalt carried out under Cofrac accreditation?

Yes. PAH analysis of waste bituminous asphalt is included in BJL Laboratoires' Cofrac accreditation scope No. 1-0973, subject to the current scope.

Which method is used?

PAHs are quantified by GC-MS in accordance with NF EN 17503 after sample preparation and dry matter determination.

How many PAHs are analysed?

Sixteen PAHs are identified and quantified under the covered service.

Does PAH testing prove the presence of coal tar?

It measures PAH concentrations. These results may be consistent with the presence of historical tar-bound binders, but must be interpreted in the context of the material and the roadworks project.

Can a road core be sent?

Yes, subject to the acceptance conditions and identification of the layers. The BJL form specifies a minimum mass of 200 g for PAH testing.