Solid phase adsorption method for tar sampling – How post sampling treatment affects tar yields and volatile tar compounds?

•Reliability of SPA tar sampling method was critically evaluated.•Tar extraction efficiency from aminopropyl silica sorbent was > 95%.•Part of light tar was lost from the aminopropyl silica sorbent stored at ambient conditions.•Addition of second sorbent activated charcoal notably reduced tar losses.•Frozen storage better preserved SPA cartridges over ambient storage.•Proven superiority of µGC over SPA method for benzene and toluene quantification.