Persistent Organic Pollutants Content Research Articles

Concentrations and legislative aspects of PBDEs in plastic of waste electrical and electronic equipment in Brazil

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been widely used as additives in polymeric products such as electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) to help meet fire safety regulations. However, some BFRs like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are now listed under the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and banned in many countries, due to their adverse health impacts, environmental persistence, and capacity for bioaccumulation and long-range atmospheric transport. Despite this, in Brazil, only a few studies exist of the presence of these contaminants in the environment, and even fewer in waste EEE (WEEE). Against this backdrop, this study measured the presence of PBDEs in samples (n = 159) of WEEE in the metropolitan region of Sorocaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. PBDEs were detected in 149 samples, with concentrations in 18 samples exceeding the European Union's Low POP Content Limit (LPCL) of 1000 mg/kg. Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) was the congener present at the highest concentration in most samples, with those of other PBDEs such as BDE-47 much lower. In general, samples containing >1000 mg/kg are those categorised as display items and miscellaneous EEE (n = 15.27 %), comprising: parts from cathode ray tube TVs (n = 11), audio systems (n = 2), and LCD TVs (n = 2). In addition, in 5 % (n = 3) of IT and telecommunications equipment samples (computer parts) PBDE concentrations exceeded 1000 mg/kg. Our results show the need for greater control and monitoring of the presence of these pollutants in WEEE before recycling and final disposal, to prevent PBDEs entering the recycling stream.

Мониторинг стойких органических загрязнителей в промысловых рыбах Российской Арктики

The manuscript discusses the results of the analysis of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in commercial fish species (atlantic salmon Salmo salar, rainbow smelt Osmerus dentex Steindachner et Kner, herring Clupea sp., arctic char Salvelinus alpinus) living in the waters of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) and used in the diet nutrition of the inhabitants of the Russian Arctic. This study lays the foundation for monitoring of POPs, taking into accounts the possible risks and norms of daily consumption of traditional foods that affect human health in the Arctic. The authors determined the temporal trends in the content of POPs in Arctic fish species, as well as analyzed and compared published data on the content of POPs in traditional food. In the studied fish samples, p,p’-DDE, PCB 153 and hexachlorobenzene dominated among POPs, which corresponds to the trends in the accumulation of organic pollutants in Arctic hydrobionts. The total content of POPs in atlantic salmon, herring, arctic char and rainbow smelt was 15,01; 7,89; 2,38; 2,02 ng/g wet weight, respectively, which is tens to hundreds times lower than the established standard values. For all fish species, in the amount of at least 7 samples, the DDE/DDT ratio was high, which indicates early DDT contamination of fish habitats. Atlantic salmon and herring are the most contaminated fish species in the entire list of studied compounds. A decrease of POPs concentration in the studied fish species was noted in comparison with earlier studies conducted in similar areas. Despite the large amount of fish in the diet of peoples from the NAO, no significant risks have been identified. However, it was found that the level of PCBs in concentrations below the MPC carries a potential risk of cancer, especially with long-term consumption of atlantic salmon more than 45 g/day by the local population in one of the settlements of the NAO.

Forty-Year Biomonitoring of Environmental Contaminants in Russian Arctic: Progress, Gaps and Perspectives.

This article presents a comprehensive survey of the studies on the biomonitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and metals in biota and human tissues on the territory of the Russian Arctic. It is concluded that a relatively small number of studies were carried out during the last 40 years; for several Russian Arctic regions there is no data up to date, and for some regions the data are scarce, with most of the studies carried out in 1990s, followed by the large-scale GEF/AMAP/RAIPON project of 2001–2004 covering four regions. After that, single projects have been implemented in a few regions. Only the Nenets okrug and the Chukotka okrug (and hardly the Murmansk oblast) can be attributed as the regions where the biomonitoring of contaminants was carried out during last decades on several occasions, and for which the content of POPs and metals in biota and the human organism was assessed in 12–15-year dynamic trends (at least “at three points”). For the rest of the Russian Arctic territories, only fragmentary “cross-sections” of biomonitoring data is available, mainly obtained in the 1990s or early 2000s, which do not allow judging either the dynamics of the processes or the current state of affairs. The overwhelming majority of the studies in the Russian Arctic (more than 90%) were carried out within the framework of international projects, i.e., with cofinancing, assistance and contribution (including laboratory analyses) from the foreign colleagues and partners. The shortcomings of the Russian system of biomonitoring, including the weakness of the laboratory and research base, are considered. Perspectives of the Russian Arctic biomonitoring are discussed in detail, with the proposal of the elaboration of the national Russian Arctic Contaminants Program (RACP).

Short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins in polyvinyl chloride consumer goods available in the Japanese market

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs), including short-chain CPs (SCCPs) and medium-chain CPs (MCCPs), are hazardous chemical additives widely applied as plasticizers and flame retardants in polymers, mainly in polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In 2017, SCCPs were listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). MCCPs were proposed for listing as POPs in 2021. SCCPs are also restricted under the Basel Convention, with two tentative low POP content (LPC) limits (100 and 10,000 mg kg−1) for SCCPs in waste. As a signatory Party of both conventions, Japan must ensure their implementation and manage SCCP wastes in environmentally sound ways. Therefore, we aimed to assess the occurrence of SCCPs and MCCPs in PVC consumer goods (n = 87) available in the Japanese market. CPs were detected in 48% of the samples. Regarding positive samples, children's products and toys (1.3–120,000 mg kg−1) were more impacted by SCCPs whereas electrical and electronic cables (1.2–59,000 mg kg−1) and house interior products (3.5–550 mg kg−1) were more impacted by MCCPs. Fourteen and four samples exceeded the LPC limit of 100 and 10,000 mg kg−1 for SCCPs, respectively. Most products were impacted by CP contents (<1 % w/w) considerably below those reported as intentional CP uses in PVC. However, 11 samples with total CP contents ranging from 1.3% to 15 % (w/w) might have been impacted by intentional CP use as secondary plasticizer in PVC. Most of the impacted consumer goods available in the Japanese market were manufactured overseas, highlighting that only restricting POPs nationally is not enough for thorough implementation of the Basel and Stockholm Conventions. Therefore, imported PVC consumer goods, PVC waste and PVC recycling streams need to be monitored as relevant potential sources of SCCPs worldwide, even where the national industry strictly follows the restriction of such chemicals.

Content of persistent organic pollutants in the estuaries of the Selenga, Barguzin and Upper Angara rivers: the main tributaries of Lake Baikal

Content of persistent organic pollutants in the estuaries of the Selenga, Barguzin and Upper Angara rivers: the main tributaries of Lake Baikal

Potential reuse options for biomass combustion ash as affected by the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) content

Burning biomass as fuel results in ash containing persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Concentrations of three classes of POPs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, PAH; polychlorinated biphenyl, PCB; and polychlorinated dibenzodioxin/furan, PCDD/Fs) in biomass ash samples are collated from the literature. Data for bottom/total ash and fly ash from important biomass fuel sources (agricultural residues, wood, waste wood, paper sludge, sewage sludge and municipal solid wastes) are compared to proposed limits for reuse as fertiliser, controlled use in soil, or disposal without treatment. Ash POPs content is related to feedstock composition and ash fraction. PAHs, PCBs and PCCD/Fs are significantly more concentrated in fly ash compared to the corresponding bottom/total ash for each biomass type. Data availability for PCBs is lower than other POPs, however a strong correlation between PCBs and PCCD/Fs allows PCB+PCCD/F content to be estimated conservatively as 1.25x PCCD/F content. Typically, bottom/total ash from virgin biomass (e.g. wood and agricultural residues) is compliant with use as fertiliser whereas waste sourced bottom/total ash (e.g. waste wood, municipal solid waste) is more suitable for controlled use in construction. Higher POPs contents in fly ash restrict its use and occasionally PCDD/F contents must be destroyed before disposal.

Simultaneous determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and hexabromocyclododecane in plastic waste by short-column gas-chromatography-quadrupole mass spectrometry and electron capture detector

To avoid recycling plastic waste containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) or hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), which are listed in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), a simple method to determine their contents at the time of waste disposal is needed. Herein, we developed a rapid analytical method using a gas chromatograph coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry or electron capture detection to simultaneously detect PBDEs and HBCD in plastic waste. PBDEs and HBCD were ultrasonically extracted from plastic samples using toluene. The dissolved polymer matrix was then removed using n-hexane and 44% H2SO4-impregnated silica gel before analysis of the extract. A run time of less than 10 min was achieved using a custom, short GC column (5 m). The detection limits of the method were below the upper threshold of the low POP content limits defined by the Basel Convention (<1000 mg kg−1 for both PBDEs and HBCD). The accuracy of the method was confirmed by analyzing seven polymer reference materials. The determined PBDE and HBCD concentrations in most of these reference materials were within 30% of the certified values; the coefficients of variation in triplicate analysis were also within 30%. The concentrations of PBDEs and HBCD in actual plastic waste measured by this method were comparable with those obtained by more sophisticated and expensive methods, such as GC–high-resolution MS for PBDEs and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for HBCD. Hence, the method developed herein is a less expensive alternative for identifying PBDE- and HBCD-containing wastes.

Chemical hazard in glacial melt? The glacial system as a secondary source of POPs (in the Northern Hemisphere). A systematic review.

Toxicity of compounds belonging to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is widely known, and their re-emission from glaciers has been conclusively demonstrated. However, the harmful effects associated with such secondary emissions have yet to be thoroughly understood, especially in the spatial and temporal context, as the existing literature has a clear sampling bias with the best recognition of sites in the European Alps. In this review, we elaborated on the hazards associated with the rapid melting of glaciers releasing organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To this end, we collated knowledge on: (1) the varying glacier melt rate across the Northern Hemisphere, (2) the content of POPs in the glacial system components, including the less represented areas, (3) the mechanisms of POPs transfer through the glacial system, including the importance of immediate emission from snow melt, (4) risk assessment associated with POPs re-emission. Based on the limited existing information, the health risk of drinking glacial water can be considered negligible, but consuming aquatic organisms from these waters may increase the risk of cancer. Remoteness from emission sources is a leading factor in the presence of such risk, yet the Arctic is likely to be more exposed to it in the future due to large-scale processes shifting atmospheric pollution and the continuous supply of snow. For future risk monitoring, we recommend to explore the synergistic toxic effects of multiple contaminants and fill the gaps in the spatial distribution of data.

Genetic status of mice-like rodents inhabiting the area of storage of obsolete stocks of pesticides

The impact of pesticides and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on biota is a serious problem for many countries. Currently, the Republic of Kazakhstan has concentrated significant volumes of obsolete, non-utilized pesticides that are stored in dilapidated warehouses, polluting the surrounding area. To study the mutagenic effects of pesticides on mouse rodents in 2018-19. territories near five former storage sites of obsolete and banned pesticides were examined, near farmland areas where pesticides were used in the past and control territory. The mouse indicators were bioindicators. Indicators of the main metric and functional parameters of indicator animals indicate that no abnormalities have been identified, and they generally correspond to similar characteristics of these animal species living in Kazakhstan in non-polluted territories. Nevertheless, an assessment of the genetic status of mouse-like rodents captured at the monitoring points of Belbulak, Amangeldy, Kyzylkairat, Enbekshi, near the storage sites of old unused pesticides, indicates a significant increase in the frequency of violations of the genetic apparatus of the animals studied. A correlation analysis of the results of assessing the degree of DNA damage in monitoring animals by the comet-test method and the total POP content in the soil of the studied territories revealed a quantitative estimate of the bond tightness of 0.70 units, which on the Cheddock scale characterizes the qualitative strength of the bond as “noticeable / high” and is satisfactorily described corresponding polynomial equation. A statistically significant relationship was found both between the test systems used on mouse rodents and the frequency of chromosomal aberrations when analyzing the mutagenicity of soil samples from the studied villages on human lymphocyte cultures. Key words: bioindication, micronuclei, mouse-like rodents, pesticides, comet-test.

Investigation on the content of persistent organic pollutants in fish from Dongting Lake in China

Objective: To investigate the content of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fish from Dongting Lake. Methods: Ten sample collection points were set in lakeside city Yueyang and Yuanjiang. In July (wet season) and November (dry season) of 2012, 13 common fish species were captured by convenience sampling in Dongting Lake. Two to three fish with similar weight were selected in each season for the same species of fish. After sample preparation and pretreatment, the contents of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), indicator polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyls ether (PBDEs) in the samples were determined by high resolution gas chromatographer-high resolution mass spectrometry. Toxicity Equivalents (TEQ) of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were calculated according to the revised toxicity equivalent factor (TEF) of WHO in 2005. The contents of POPs were expressed by median and quavtile. The differences of POPs in fish in different periods were compared by Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: The content of PCDD/Fs of fish in Dongting Lake in wet season was 12.397 (8.865, 24.964) pg/g, higher than that in the dry season 0.771 (0.490, 1.442) pg/g (P<0.001), and the toxicity equivalent quantity (TEQ) were 0.150 (0.066,0.528) and 0.143 (0.066, 0.235) pg-TEQ/g without statistically significant difference (P>0.05). For the fish in wet and dry season from Dongting Lake,Σdl-PCBs of fish were 66.475 (28.065, 77.794) and 24.205 (18.237, 90.777) pg/g, respectively, and the TEQ were 0.061 (0.046, 0.268) and 0.075 (0.054, 0.182) pg-TEQ/g; Σ indicative PCBs were 237.764 (153.896, 335.483) and 119.711 (52.171, 408.696) pg/g, respectively; Σ PBDEs were 106.513 (64.834, 164.860) and 86.837 (61.872, 177.108) pg/g, respectively. The highest content of PCDD/Fs was found in grass carp (198.360 pg/g) in wet season. The higher content of PCBs was found in long-necked fish (2 332.509 pg/g) and PBDEs was found in pelteobagrus fulvidraco (343.857 pg/g), respectively. Conclusion: A lower burden was found in fishes from Dongting Lake, and the content of POPs varied in different seasons and fishes.

Persistent organic pollutants in blubber of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) from the Southern Ocean

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were analyzed in eighteen blubber samples biopsied from fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) during the feeding season near the Antarctic Peninsula in the summer of 2013. POP content (in ng g−1 lipid weight) ranged from 46.4 to 708 for polychlorinated biphenyls (∑PCBs), 6.77 to 123 for hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 10.1 to 489 for dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and derivatives (∑DDTs), 5.38 to 52.8 for hexachlorocyclohexanes (∑HCH) and <0.40 to 2.54 for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (∑PBDEs). The presence of those compounds in Southern Ocean fin whales is related to long-range transport and their diet based mainly on euphausiids (krill). Their contents were much lower compared to the same species in other locations, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, presumably due to differences in trophic position and the proximity of POP sources and contamination of prey items.

Concentrations of POPs based wood preservatives in waste timber from demolished buildings and its recycled products in Japan

One of the major proportions of recycled persistent organic pollutants (POPs)-containing waste is timber originating from old buildings, utility poles, and cross-arms because POPs-based treatments were once a common means of preserving wood. In 2016 and 2017, we conducted the first survey in Japan on the residue concentrations of chlordanes (CHLs), pentachlorophenol (PCP), pentachloroanisole (PCA), and polychloronaphthalenes (PCNs) in waste timber (n = 55) and its recycled products (woodchip, n = 42; particle board, n = 3). In the recycled products, the highest concentrations detected were 0.86 mg kg−1 CHLs, 3.0 mg kg−1 PCP, 1.1 mg kg−1 PCA, and 2.6 mg kg−1 PCNs, which were one to two orders lower than the low POP content (LPC) limits for the environmentally sound management of wastes defined under the Basel Convention (50, 100, and 10 mg kg−1, respectively). In the waste timber, which included bearers and columns from demolished buildings, the highest concentrations were 15 mg kg−1 CHLs, 0.20 mg kg−1 PCP, and 0.036 mg kg−1 PCNs, no higher than about 30% of the LPC limit. The concentration of CHLs in timber bearer was significantly higher than those in timber column (p < 0.05). Although none of the waste timber or recycled products had concentrations exceeding the LPC limits, one means of ensuring low POP concentrations in recycled products is separating timber bearer from timber column when demolishing wooden buildings, according to the results in Japan. The timber column can be used to produce recycled products and the remaining timber can be used for heat utilization and power generation.

POPs monitoring system in Lake Baikal – impact of time or the first need?

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were frst found in the fat of the Baikal seal “Phoca sibirica, Gm” in 1986. In subsequent years, studies of POPs at Baikal did not lead to the creation of a monitoring system, despite its high demand for Lake Baikal as a source of drinking water of the world value. We have proposed a solution to the scientifc methodological problem of POPs control in Lake Baikal by selecting priority POPs, the optimal sampling and developing methods for determining POPs in a range of concentrations corresponding to their content in Baikal waters and meeting the requirements of serial analysis. Three classes of pollutants were selected as priority POPs, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and o-phthalic acid diesters (phthalates). The water-sampling scheme in the pelagic zone of the lake included fve directions from the west to the east coast in three lake basins, the southern and northern extremities of the lake, the delta of the Selenga River, Maloye More strait, and Chivyrkuy and Barguzin bays. The determination of priority POPs was based on a comprehensive analysis of one sample, the volume of which did not exceed 1.0 L, and the GC-MS/MS method in the analytic ending. Depending on the POPs concentration, the accuracy of their determination was estimated at a range of ± δ from 10 to 35%. The testing of the methodology has indicated that the POP content in the Baikal waters at the modern stage is characterized by phthalate concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 3.7 µg/L, total PAH concentrations from 7.0 to 36 ng/L, and PCB congeners from 1.4 to 7.2 ng/L.

Combined disc pelletisation and thermal treatment of MSWI fly ash

An environmentally friendly and cost efficient way for the management of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash represents its thermal co-treatment together with combustible waste. However, the safe introduction and storage of MSWI fly ash in the waste bunker is challenging and associated with severe problems (e.g. dust emissions, generation of undefined lumps and heat in case of moistened MSWI fly ash). Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the suitability of pelletisation as a pretreatment of MSWI fly ash. In particular, MSWI fly ash was characterised after sampling, pelletisation and thermal treatment and the transfer of constituents to secondary fly ash and flue gas was investigated. For this purpose, MSWI fly ash pellets with a water content of about 0.15 kg/kg and a diameter of about 8 mm have been produced by disc pelletiser and treated in an electrically heated pilot-scale rotary kiln at different temperatures, ranging from 450 °C to 1050 °C. The total contents of selected elements in the MSWI fly ash before and after thermal treatment and in the generated secondary fly ash have been analysed in order to understand the fate of each element. Furthermore, leachable contents of selected elements and total content of persistent organic pollutants of the thermally treated MSWI fly ash were determined. Due to the low total content of Hg (0.7 mg/kg) and the low leachate content of Pb (<0.36 mg/kg), even at the lowest treatment temperature of 450 °C, thermally treated MSWI fly ash pellets can be classified as non-hazardous waste. However, temperatures of at least 650 °C are necessary to decrease the toxic equivalency of PCDD/F and DL-PCB. The removal of toxic heavy metals like Cd and Pb is significantly improved at temperatures of 850 °C, 950 °C or even 1050 °C. The observed metal removal led to relatively high contents of e.g. Cu (up to 11,000 mg/kg), Pb (up to 91,000 mg/kg) and Zn (up to 21,000 mg/kg) in the secondary fly ash. This metal enriched secondary fly ash might represent a potential raw material for metal recovery (e.g. via acidic leaching). Due to the high content of total dissolved solids observed in the leachate of thermally treated MSWI fly ash pellets, a wet extraction procedure is suggested to enable its safe disposal at non-hazardous waste landfills.

Results of the second national forest soil inventory in Germany - Interpretation of level and stock profiles for PCDD/F and PCB in terms of vegetation and humus type

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in 86 humic topsoil layers and in a subset of 11 randomly selected top mineral forest soils at the depths of 0–5cm and 5–10cm collected from different federal states of Germany. The distribution of these persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in humic topsoils with respect to vegetation cover (coniferous vs. deciduous vs. mixed), total organic carbon (TOC), altitude and latitude data was investigated. There is cross correlation between the contents and TOC while the correlation with latitude indicates higher abundances of POPs in central Germany where there is high population density accompanied with industrial activities. The calculated stocks suggest that humus type (mor, mull, or moder) in conjunction with forest type can explain the relative POPs abundances in different soil layers. Generally, humic topsoils show highest contents of POPs compare to the two mineral soils with a ratio of 100:10:1. However, the stock humic layers of coniferous stands contribute about 50% to the total stock, whereas at deciduous stands the stock is mainly located in the upper mineral soil layer (0–5cm). The soil-water distribution coefficients (Kd) were calculated to estimate the potential translocation in the different soil types. The Kd values vary among the PCBs and PCDD/Fs congeners and are most variable for humic topsoils. There is pronounced chemical abundance in the top mineral soils with increasing Kd and this points to non-water bound transport processes for superlipophilic compounds.

Selecting Cooking Methods to Decrease Persistent Organic Pollutant Concentrations in Food of Animal Origin Using a Consensus Decision-Making Model.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) pose serious threats to human health. Increasing attention has been paid to POPs to protect the environment and prevent disease. Humans are exposed to POPs through diet (the major route), inhaling air and dust and skin contact. POPs are very lipophilic and hydrophobic, meaning that they accumulate in fatty tissues in animals and can biomagnify. Humans can therefore be exposed to relatively high POP concentrations in food of animal origin. Cooking animal products can decrease the POP contents, and different cooking methods achieve different reduction rates. Here, a consensus decision-making model with interval preference relations is used to prioritize cooking methods for specific animal products in terms of reducing POP concentrations. Two consistency mathematical expressions (I-consistency and -consistency) are defined, then the ideal interval preference relations are determined for the cooking methods with respect to different social choice principles. The objective is to minimize disparities between individual judgments and the ideal consensus judgment. Consistency is used as a constraint to determine the rationality of the consistency definitions. A numerical example indicated that baking is the best cooking method for decreasing POP concentrations in grass carp. The I-consistency results were more acceptable than the -consistency results.

MONITORING OF PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS IN THE SOIL OF THE CHECHEN REPUBLIC

The content of persistent organic pollutants in agricultural and residential areas of the Czech Republic. Elevated levels of PCBs in samples of agricultural use found near the city of Grozny and Argun. Dioxin is the most polluted soil in areas of the asphalt plants.Mesker-Yurt. The main sources that supply dioxins into the environment from manufacturing facilities in Grozny, Argun, Gudermes, Shali. Monitoring of the environmental situation in the Czech Republic is needed to develop and implement a national program for the protection of the environment and the population of persistent organic pollutants.

Persistent organic pollutants in the natural environments of the city of Bratsk (Irkutsk Oblast): Levels and risk assessment

The contents of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)—polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)—in the natural environments of an industrial city (Bratsk) of Irkutsk oblast have been studied. Features of the spatial and seasonal distribution of the PCBs and OCPs in the soils and the atmospheric air have been revealed. The structure of the homological and congeneric composition of the PCBs in the soils and the atmospheric air has been shown. Parameters of the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks for human health from the impact of the PCBs and OCPs present in the soils and the atmospheric air have been determined.

Seeking Potential Anomalous Levels of Exposure to PCDD/Fs and PCBs through Sewage Sludge Characterization

An approach to detect anomalies in the exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) throughout the food chain is presented. The proposed method is useful also for preventing soil contamination by POPs that would require a remediation intervention. A steel making plant and its surrounding area were selected as a case-study. To investigate the possible effects of the plant on the settled population, sewage sludge samples from four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were taken: one of these was chosen as reference for the population exposed to the emissions of the mill; the remaining three plants were chosen to provide background information about the POP content in sludge. No clear anomalies in dioxins (PCDD/Fs) were detected for the potentially exposed population. In terms of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), the steel plant-influenced WWTP showed a total concentration between 2.7 and 4.8-time higher than the other plants; in terms of equivalent toxicity, only slightly higher concentrations were found for the steel plant-influenced WWTP. Therefore, if considering acceptable the daily intake from the diet of the unexposed population, the absence of a dioxin and dioxin-like emergency in the area of the mill is demonstrated. This method represents an innovative and technically simple tool to assess situations of permanent exposure to POP levels that are higher than the background.

INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIES OF ASSESSMENT OF DIOXINS IMPACTS ON CHILDRENS HEALTH

The town of Chapaevsk in the Samara region remained one of the most notorious hotspots of dioxin pollution in Russia for many years. The levels of dioxins and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) content in blood and breast milk of the town residents have been monitored since 2003. A longitudinal study of effects of dioxin pollution on physical and sexual development of boys has also begun in 2003. Levels of dioxins and POPs content in blood were measured annually in a cohort of 516 boys. This study documented a relationship between the POP levels in blood and the distance between the residence of the subjects and the source of the dioxin pollution. The POP content levels in blood were higher for the children who received breast milk (TEQ2005 = 24.5; 95 % CI 20.5 - 28.6) than for the children who received artificial feeding (TEQ2005 = 19.1; 16.5 - 22.1). The lower levels of dioxins and PCBs content were observed in the blood of the boys with higher BMI. The higher levels of POPs content in blood were observed among the boys whose families had vegetable gardens (TEQ2005 = 24.5; 23.6 - 27.3) compared to those whose families did not have gardens (TEQ2005 = 20.6; 18.9 - 22.4). The researchers observed correlations between the indicators of the boys physical development and the levels of dioxins and PCB content in their organisms. The levels of POPs content in the blood of the boys varied greatly from very low to very high, but the median levels were considerably higher than those observed in Europe and the USA.