Persistent organic pollutants in the atmosphere from urban and industrial environments in the Rhine Valley: PCBs, PCDD/Fs.

ABSTRACT

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzodioxin and furan (PCDD/F) concentrations in the atmosphere were analysed using passive air samplers (PAS) close to the Rhine River between France and Germany. Collectors were placed in industrial, urban, rural and remote areas (Vosges Mountains) between March 2009 and August 2010, and the mean PCB concentrations (sum of 22 congeners) were 3.3, 3.9, 4.1 and 1.4 ng PAS(-1) day(-1), respectively. Two events during the sampling period were observed in April 2009 and February-March 2010 with the highest PCB concentrations found in the industrial area (19.6 ng PAS(-1) day(-1)). PCDD/F level were measured during these periods, and the maximum concentration observed was from 37.5 fg WHO PAS(-1) day(-1.)