Using PUF disk passive samplers to simultaneously measure air concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) across the Tuscany Region, Italy

AbstractPassive air samplers consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed simultaneously over 2–4 month periods from April to July 2008 at 19 locations throughout the Tuscany Region at urban (n=9), rural (n=7) and agricultural sites (n=3). The purpose of the study was to assess the gas–phase air concentrations of PCBs, OCPs, PBDEs and PAHs on a local and regional scale. Derived air concentrations (pg m−3) ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 300 for Σ6PCBs and from BDL to 30 for Σ3PBDEs. As expected, the highest PCB concentrations (pg m−3) were observed at urban sites, peaking in Piombino (300). PBDEs, however, exhibited a “reverse gradient” (i.e. rural>agricultural>urban) with highest air concentration at the rural site, Arcidoso (30). Levels of OCPs showed less distinct differences among the three site types. The most frequently detected OCPs were Endosulfan I, γ–HCH and α–HCH. Endosulfan I ranged from BDL to 2 200pg m−3, α–HCH from BDL to 610, and γ–HCH from BDL to 1 100. The high air concentrations of HCHs were surprising and possibly due to continued and illegal use – especially at agricultural and urban sites that exhibited the highest levels in air. PAHs showed highest concentrations (pg m−3) at agricultural and urban sites, ranging from 290 to 4 700 and were generally consistent with other data sets from Europe. PAHs were dominated by the 3–ring PAHs (76±6)%, with phenanthrene alone accounting for (45±11%) of the total PAHs. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using PUF disks as time–integrating passive air samplers for assessing local and regional scale concentrations of a wide range of POPs in central Italy. Given their low cost and simplicity, passive air samplers are the preferred option for conducting concurrent sampling at multiple sites for monitoring and research purposes

Using PUF disk passive samplers to simultaneously measure air concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) across the Tuscany Region, Italy

Abstract Passive air samplers consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed simultaneously over 2–4 month periods from April to July 2008 at 19 locations throughout the Tuscany Region at urban (n = 9), rural (n = 7) and agricultural sites (n = 3). The purpose of the study was to assess the gas–phase air concentrations of PCBs, OCPs, PBDEs and PAHs on a local and regional scale. Derived air concentrations (pg m −3 ) ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 300 for Σ 6 PCBs and from BDL to 30 for Σ 3 PBDEs. As expected, the highest PCB concentrations (pg m −3 ) were observed at urban sites, peaking in Piombino (300). PBDEs, however, exhibited a "reverse gradient" (i.e. rural>agricultural>urban) with highest air concentration at the rural site, Arcidoso (30). Levels of OCPs showed less distinct differences among the three site types. The most frequently detected OCPs were Endosulfan I, γ–HCH and α–HCH. Endosulfan I ranged from BDL to 2 200 pg m −3 , α–HCH from BDL to 610, and γ–HCH from BDL to 1 100. The high air concentrations of HCHs were surprising and possibly due to continued and illegal use – especially at agricultural and urban sites that exhibited the highest levels in air. PAHs showed highest concentrations (pg m −3 ) at agricultural and urban sites, ranging from 290 to 4 700 and were generally consistent with other data sets from Europe. PAHs were dominated by the 3–ring PAHs (76 ± 6)%, with phenanthrene alone accounting for (45 ± 11%) of the total PAHs. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using PUF disks as time–integrating passive air samplers for assessing local and regional scale concentrations of a wide range of POPs in central Italy. Given their low cost and simplicity, passive air samplers are the preferred option for conducting concurrent sampling at multiple sites for monitoring and research purposes

Semivolatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) in the atmosphere of Santiago de Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia along north-south transect using polyurethane foam disk as passive air samplers

A preliminary evaluation of Semivolatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) was performed in the atmosphere of Santiago de Cali, Colombia, using passive air samplers based polyurethane foam (PAS-PUF) disks. PASPUF were deployed in four sites, along a north-south transect(similar to 15 km), during one sampling period of similar to 4 months in 2011, form the industrial area of Yumbo (EF site) to the agricultural area of Valle del Cauca (FCNE). Results showed, for PCBs and PAHs, a clear north-south (IN > AG) decreasing concentration gradient (similar to 3 times) while OCPs exhibited an opposite gradient (UR < AG). Endosulfan I showed the highest concentrations in air (similar to 0.8-60 ng m(-3)). The HCHs (alpha- and gamma-) concentrations ranged from BDL to similar to 19 ng m(-3), with a-HCH showing the highest levels (suggesting recent use of technical HCHs) and for DDTs levels fluctuated from BDL to similar to 29 ng m(-3) (with p, p'-DDE accounting for 50-80% of total DDTs). PAHs levels (similar to 25-66 ng m(-3)) were characterized by the abundance of Phenanthrene (34%), fluoranthene (18%) and pyrene (16%). For PCBs, concentrations in air ranged from similar to 0.2 to 0.9 ng m(-3) and were characterized by middle to a higher molecular weight PCB composition pattern. The results of OCPs are much higher than those found in other areas of Latin America. These results are likely influenced by the proximity of agricultural cultivations (i.e., sugarcane crops) in the southern part of the city. These results provide preliminary information about the presence of SVOCs in the atmosphere of Santiago de Cali, and constitute the basis for future monitoring programs. Copyright (C) (C) 2016 Turkish National Committee for Air Pollution Research and Control. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license

Characterization of urban pollution in two cities of the Puglia region in Southern Italy using field measurements and air quality (AQ) model approach

Abstract Passive air sampling (PAS) consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed simultaneously over four periods of 2–5 months at four locations in urban and sub–urban sites of Bari and San Vito Taranto in Southern Italy. The purpose of the study was to characterize the urban pollution for two groups of semi volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), by using two different approaches consisting of PAS–PUF and air quality models (Flexible Air quality Regional Model, FARM). The concentrations in the air ranged from 20 to 200 pg m−3 for PCBs and from 5 to 48 ng m−3 for PAHs with the highest concentrations being detected at Bari center. PCB composition was dominated by the 3–Cl congeners (periods 1 and 2) and by 5–Cl (periods 3 and 4). PCB–28 and –37 were the most abundant congeners during the four periods. The PAHs profile was dominated by the 3–ring (70±6)%, with phenanthrene alone accounting for (49±2)%. On a seasonal basis opposite patterns were observed for PCBs and PAHs showing high PCB concentrations during the warm periods, period 3: summer and 2: spring, while PAHs were found during cool periods, period 4: autumn, and 1: winter. The results obtained from the application of the FARM model, during 2010, and limited to period 4 in this study, showed similar estimated levels for PCBs indicating a good performance for PCB modeled concentrations whilst for benzo[b]fluoranthene (B[b]F) the results showed a less better agreement. This study represents one of the few efforts at characterizing PCBs and PAHs compositions in ambient air in southern Italy and also represents one of the preliminary attempts at using PAS–PUF to give more insight into a modeling prediction in Italy. These results also provide useful information for the future development of the FARM model

Survey of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere of rural, urban and industrial areas of Concepción, Chile, using passive air samplers

Passive air samplers (PAS) consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were used to assess air concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in rural, urban, and industrial sites in Concepcion, Chile during a two-month deployment in the summer of 2007. Results for PCBs and PAHs showed a clear rural-urban-industrial gradient. PCB air concentrations (pg m(-3)) ranged from similar to 30 to similar to 350 and were similar to 2 to 5 times higher at industrial sites compared to rural sites. For PAHs, air concentrations (ng m(-3)) ranged from 26 to 230 and were 4 to 8 times higher at industrial sites. The PCB congener profile was dominated by high molecular weight PCBs at urban and industrial sites. The PAH profile was dominated by 3- and 4-ring PAHs accounting for more than 90% of the Sigma(15)PAH, and dominated by phenanthrene (similar to 40%). Of the HCH isomers, only gamma-HCH was detected with air concentrations ranging from 5 to 120 pg m(-3). While for DDT isomers, p,p'-DDE was the only compound detected, ranging from below detection limit (BDL) to 360 pg m(-3). Other OCPs (chlordanes, heptachlor and Dieldrin) showed low air concentrations (pg m(-3)) on the order of similar to 1 - 3. Endosulfan, which is a newly listed persistent organic pollutant (POP) under the Stockholm Convention (SC) on POPs, ranged from 14 to 20 pg m(-3). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) also newly listed under the SC, were relatively uniform across the transect with air concentrations (pg m(-3)) in the range of similar to 5 to 10. This study represents one of the first efforts to characterize the POPs composition in ambient air for urban and industrial areas of Chile

Assessing levels and seasonal variations of current-use pesticides (CUPs) in the Tuscan atmosphere, Italy, using polyurethane foam disks (PUF) passive air samplers

Polyurethane foam disks (PUF) passive air samplers (PAS) were deployed over 4 sampling periods of 3 -5-months (>= 1 year) at ten urban and rural locations throughout the Tuscany Region. The purpose was to assess the occurrence and seasonal variations of ten current-use pesticides (CUPs). PUF disk extracts were analyzed using GC-MS. The organophosphates insecticides; chlorpyrifos (3-580 pg m(-3)) and chlorpyrifos-methyl (below detection limit - to 570 pg m(-3)) presented the highest levels in air, and showed seasonal fluctuation coinciding with the growing seasons. The relative proportion urban/(urban + rural) ranged from 0.4 to 0.7 showing no differences between urban and rural concentrations. Air back trajectories analysis showed air masses passing over agricultural fields and potentially enhancing the drift of pesticides into the urban sites. This study represents the first information regarding CUPs in the atmosphere of Tuscany region using PAS-PUF disk. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Assessing levels and seasonal variations of current-use pesticides (CUPs) in the Tuscan atmosphere, Italy, using polyurethane foam disks (PUF) passive air samplers

Polyurethane foam disks (PUF) passive air samplers (PAS) were deployed over 4 sampling periods of 3-5-months (≥ 1 year) at ten urban and rural locations throughout the Tuscany Region. The purpose was to assess the occurrence and seasonal variations of ten current-use pesticides (CUPs). PUF disk extracts were analyzed using GC-MS. The organophosphates insecticides; chlorpyrifos (3-580 pg m-3) and chlorpyrifos-methyl (below detection limit - to 570 pg m-3) presented the highest levels in air, and showed seasonal fluctuation coinciding with the growing seasons. The relative proportion urban/(urban + rural) ranged from 0.4 to 0.7 showing no differences between urban and rural concentrations. Air back trajectories analysis showed air masses passing over agricultural fields and potentially enhancing the drift of pesticides into the urban sites. This study represents the first information regarding CUPs in the atmosphere of Tuscany region using PAS-PUF disk

Assessing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) using passive air sampling in the atmosphere of one of the most wood-smoke-polluted cities in Chile: The case study of Temuco

This study addresses human health concerns in the city of Temuco that are attributed to wood smoke and related pollutants associated with wood burning activities that are prevalent in Temuco. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in air across urban and rural sites over three seasons in Temuco using polyurethane foam (PUF) disk passive air samplers (PUF-PAS). Concentrations of Sigma PAHs (15 congeners) in air ranged from BDL to similar to 70 ng m(-3) and were highest during the winter season, which is attributed to emissions from residential heating by wood combustion. The results for all three seasons showed that the PAH plume was widespread across all sites including rural sites on the outskirts of Temuco. Some interesting variations were observed between seasons in the composition of PAHs, which were attributed to differences in seasonal point sources. A comparison of the PAH composition in the passive samples with active samples (gas + particle phase) from the same site revealed similar congener profiles. Overall, the study demonstrated that the PUF disk passive air sampler provides a simple approach for measuring PAHs in air and for tracking effectiveness of pollution control measures in urban areas in order to improve public health. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Passive air sampling of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and emerging compounds in Kolkata megacity and rural mangrove wetland Sundarban in India: An approach to regional monitoring

Polyurethane foam (PUF) disk passive air samplers were deployed concurrently at five sites across Kolkata megacity and the rural mangrove wetland of Sundarban (UNESCO World Heritage Site) between January–March in 2014. Samples were analyzed for hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltricholoroethanes (DDTs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Derived air concentrations (pg/m3) for Kolkata ranged: for ∑α- and γ-HCH between 70 and 207 (114 ± 62), ∑6DDTs: 127–216 (161 ± 36), ∑7PCBs: 53–213 (141 ± 64), and ∑10PBDEs: 0.30–23 (11 ± 9). Low values for all the studied POPs were recorded in the remote area of the Sundarban site (with the exception of DDTs: o,p’-DDT and p,p’-DDT), where ∑4DDTs was 161 ± 36. In particular, the site of Ballygunge, located in the southern part of Kolkata, showed the highest level of all the metabolites/congeners of POPs, suggesting a potential hot spot of usage and emissions. From HCHs, α-/γ-HCH isomers ratio was low (0.67–1.96) indicating a possible sporadic source of lindane. γ-HCH dominated the HCH signal (at 3 sites) reflecting wide spread use of lindane both in Kolkata and the Sundarban region; however, isomeric composition in Kolkata also suggests potential technical HCHs use. Among DDT metabolites, both o,p’-DDT and p,p’-DDT shared the dominant percentages accounting for ∼26–46% of total DDTs followed by p,p’-DDE (∼12–19%). The PCB congener profile was dominated by tri- and tetra-Cl at the southern and eastern part of Kolkata. These results are one of the few contributions that reports air concentrations of POPs, concurrently, at urban and remote villages in India. These data are useful to assess atmospheric pollution levels and to motivate local and regional authorities to better understand the potential human exposure risk associated to urban areas in India