Contamination status of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were examined in settled dustsamples collected from working (ELV-W) and living (ELV-L) areas of end-of-life vehicle processingworkshops and from urban houses (U-H) in northern Vietnam. Levels of 16 PAHs in the ELV-Wsamples ranged from 1200 to 3600 (median 3100) ng/g, which were significantly higher than thosedetected in the ELV-L samples (920
600–1800 ng/g) and the U-H samples (930
470–1300 ng/g).Ring-number profiles of PAHs were relatively similar between the three sample groups: 4-ring >
3 ring≈ 5-ring >
6-ring >
2-ring. The most predominant compounds were chrysene, pyrene, fluoranthene,and phenanthrene. Proportions of high-molecular-weight PAHs (≥ 4 rings, 76 ± 9%) were moreabundant than those of low-molecular-weight compounds (≤ 3 rings, 24 ± 9%), suggesting that PAHswere mainly derived from pyrogenic sources. However, several diagnostic ratios of PAHs haverevealed specific petrogenic sources in working areas of the ELV workshops. Our results suggest thatprimitive ELV processing activities are potential sources of PAHs. The improvement of technology andwaste management system in this ELV area is needed, for example, prohibition of ELV wasteuncontrolled burning and appropriate treatment of used engine oils and fuels.Keywords. PAHs, settled dust, end-of-life vehicle, urban, Vietnam.