A method is presented for extracting PAHs from contaminated soil using aqueous solutions of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPCD). The procedure enables elucidation of ageing trends and illustrates kinetic restraints on compound release as ageing proceeds. A comparison is made between HPCD extracted fractions and the fractions obtained by traditionally established exhaustive methodologies i.e. dichloromethane (DCM) soxhlet extraction. Comparisons of the amount of soil associated C-14-radiolabelled compound mineralised by degrading microorganisms with the amount of compound extractable into HPCD solutions indicates a strong linear correlation with slope of unity. The data presented here supports the hypothesis that an aqueous solution of cyclodextrin can provides a good prediction of organic compound bioavailability in soil.