Passive Air Sampling Technique Research Articles

Evaluation of the performance of a passive air sampling technique to measure current-use pesticides in a tropical environment

Evaluation of the performance of a passive air sampling technique to measure current-use pesticides in a tropical environment

Airborne Pesticides-Deep Diving into Sampling and Analysis.

The escalating utilization of pesticides has led to pronounced environmental contamination, posing a significant threat to agroecosystems. The extensive and persistent global application of these chemicals has been linked to a spectrum of acute and chronic human health concerns. This review paper focuses on the concentrations of airborne pesticides in both indoor and outdoor environments. The collection of diverse pesticide compounds from the atmosphere is examined, with a particular emphasis on active and passive air sampling techniques. Furthermore, a critical evaluation is conducted on the methodologies employed for the extraction and subsequent quantification of airborne pesticides. This analysis takes into consideration the complexities involved in ensuring accurate measurements, highlighting the advancements and limitations of current practices. By synthesizing these aspects, this review aims to foster a more comprehensive and informed comprehension of the intricate dynamics related to the presence and measurement of airborne pesticides. This, in turn, is poised to significantly contribute to the refinement of environmental monitoring strategies and the augmentation of precise risk assessments.

Spatial variability and temporal changes of POPs in European background air

Concentration data on POPs in air is necessary to assess the effectiveness of international regulations aiming to reduce the emissions of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) into the environment. POPs in European background air are continuously monitored using active- and passive air sampling techniques at a limited number of atmospheric monitoring stations. As a result of the low spatial resolution of such continuous monitoring, there is limited understanding of the main sources controlling the atmospheric burdens of POPs across Europe. The key objectives of this study were to measure the spatial and temporal variability of concentrations of POPs in background air with a high spatial resolution (n = 101) across 33 countries within Europe, and to use observations and models in concert to assess if the measured concentrations are mainly governed by secondary emissions or continuing primary emissions. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was not only the POP detected in highest concentrations (median: 67 pg/m3), but also the only POP that had significantly increased over the last decade. HCB was also the only POP that was positively correlated to latitude. For the other targeted POPs, the highest concentrations were observed in the southern part of Europe, and a declining temporal trend was observed. Spatial differences in temporal changes were observed. For example, γ-HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) had the largest decrease in the south of Europe, while α-HCH had declined the most in central-east Europe. High occurrence of degradation products of the organochlorine pesticides and isomeric ratios indicated past usage. Model predictions of PCB-153 (2,2’,4,4’,5,5’-hexachlorobiphenyl) by the Global EMEP Multi-media Modelling System suggest that secondary emissions are more important than primary emissions in controlling atmospheric burdens, and that the relative importance of primary emissions are more influential in southern Europe compared to northern Europe. Our study highlights the major advantages of combining high spatial resolution observations with mechanistic modelling approaches to provide insights on the relative importance of primary- and secondary emission sources in Europe. Such knowledge is considered vital for policy makers aiming to assess the potential for further emission reduction strategies of legacy POPs.

Mapping the Contribution of Biomass Burning to Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Air of the Indo-China Peninsula Based on a Passive Air Monitoring Network.

Biomass burning (BB) is an important source of atmospheric persistent organic pollutants (POPs) across the world. However, there are few field-based regional studies regarding the POPs released from BB. Due to the current limitations of emission factors and satellites, the contribution of BB to airborne POPs is still not well understood. In this study, with the simultaneous monitoring of BB biomarkers and POPs based on polyurethane foam-based passive air sampling technique, we mapped the contribution of BB to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the Indo-China Peninsula. Spearman correlations between levoglucosan and 16 PCBs (rs = 0.264-0.767, p < 0.05) and 2 OCPs (rs = 0.250-0.328, p < 0.05) confirmed that BB may facilitate POP emissions. Source apportionment indicated that BB contributed 9.3% to the total PCB and OCP mass. The high contribution of positive matrix factorization-resolved BB to PCBs and OCPs was almost consistent with their concentration distributions in the open BB season but not completely consistent with those in the pre-monsoon and/or monsoon seasons. Their contribution distributions may reflect the use history and geographic distribution in secondary sources of POPs. The field-based contribution dataset of BB to POPs is significant in improving regional BB emission inventories and model prediction.

Regional monitoring of biomass burning using passive air sampling technique reveals the importance of MODIS unresolved fires

Field-based sampling can provide more accurate evaluation than MODIS in regional biomass burning (BB) emissions given the limitations of MODIS on unresolved fires. Polyurethane foam-based passive air samplers (PUF-PASs) are a promising tool for collecting atmospheric monosaccharides. Here, we deployed PUF-PASs to monitor monosaccharides and other BB-related biomarkers and presented a dataset of 31 atmospheric BB-related biomarkers in the Indo-China Peninsula (ICP) and Southwest China. The peak concentrations of monosaccharides in the ICP occurred before monsoon season. The highest concentrations were in the eastern Mekong plain, while the lowest were along the eastern coast. BB-related biomarkers displayed elevated concentrations after April, particularly in the monsoon season; however, fewer active fires were recorded by MODIS. This revealed the importance of MODIS unresolved fires (e.g., indoor biofuel combustion, small-scale BB incidents, and charcoal fires) to the regional atmosphere. The PAS derived levoglucosan concentrations indicated that, with the inclusion of MODIS unresolved fires, the estimated top-down emissions of PM (4194–4974 Gg/yr), OC (1234–1719 Gg/yr) and EC (52–384 Gg/yr) would be higher than previous bottom-up estimations in the ICP. Future studies on these MODIS unresolved fires and regional monitoring data of BB are vital for improving the modeling of regional BB emissions.

Method development for on‑site monitoring of volatile organic compounds via portable TD‑GC-MS: evaluation of the analytical performances of HAPSITE® ER instrumentation and thermal desorption sampling media

ABSTRACT Determining worker exposure to hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air at levels exceeding the Permissible Exposure Limits and Recommended Exposure Limits established by the U.S. federal agencies of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), respectively, will continue to be an important part of environmental and occupational health risk assessments. The purpose of this work was to develop a reliable analytical method for rapid and on-site assessments of occupational VOC exposures using field-capable thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) instrumentation (i.e. the HAPSITE® ER). The experiments involved in this study included determining TD-GC-MS parameters suitable for efficient analyte separation and quantitation on the HAPSITE® ER, determinations of analyte mass loadings that cause mass spectrometer detector saturations, generation of calibration curves, estimations of the limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs), as well as desorption efficiency and relative response factor repeatability. The LODs using Carbopack™ B and Tenax® TA sampling media were estimated and ranged from 0.2–1.9 ng and 0.045–0.3 ng, respectively. The LOQs using Carbopack™ B and Tenax TA sampling media were estimated and ranged from 1.0–6.3 ng and 0.2–1.1 ng, respectively. We have developed a reliable analytical method for chloroform, benzene, trichloroethylene, and heptane using field-portable HAPSITE® ER instrumentation and Tenax® TA sorbent media. Reliable and accurate methods were developed for chloroform and trichloroethylene using Carbopack™ B sorbent media, however, this particular sorbent hadlow desorption efficiency and insufficient repeatability in relative response factors for many analytes. Our current and ongoing work in determining the uptake rates for analytes on Tenax® TA sorbent media will make the methods described herein applicable for on-site occupational VOC exposure assessments of chloroform, benzene, trichloroethylene, and heptane using either passive or active air sampling techniques.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Air and on Surfaces in Rooms of Infected Nursing Home Residents.

There is an ongoing debate on airborne transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as a risk factor for infection. In this study, the level of SARS-CoV-2 in air and on surfaces of SARS-CoV-2 infected nursing home residents was assessed to gain insight in potential transmission routes. During outbreaks, air samples were collected using three different active and one passive air sampling technique in rooms of infected patients. Oropharyngeal swabs (OPS) of the residents and dry surface swabs were collected. Additionally, longitudinal passive air samples were collected during a period of 4 months in common areas of the wards. Presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was determined using RT-qPCR, targeting the RdRp- and E-genes. OPS, samples of two active air samplers and surface swabs with Ct-value ≤35 were tested for the presence of infectious virus by cell culture. In total, 360 air and 319 surface samples from patient rooms and common areas were collected. In rooms of 10 residents with detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in OPS, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 93 of 184 collected environmental samples (50.5%) (lowest Ct 29.5), substantially more than in the rooms of residents with negative OPS on the day of environmental sampling (n = 2) (3.6%). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was most frequently present in the larger particle size fractions [>4 μm 60% (6/10); 1-4 μm 50% (5/10); <1 μm 20% (2/10)] (Fischer exact test P = 0.076). The highest proportion of RNA-positive air samples on room level was found with a filtration-based sampler 80% (8/10) and the cyclone-based sampler 70% (7/10), and impingement-based sampler 50% (5/10). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 10 out of 12 (83%) passive air samples in patient rooms. Both high-touch and low-touch surfaces contained SARS-CoV-2 genome in rooms of residents with positive OPS [high 38% (21/55); low 50% (22/44)]. In one active air sample, infectious virus in vitro was detected. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 is frequently detected in air and on surfaces in the immediate surroundings of room-isolated COVID-19 patients, providing evidence of environmental contamination. The environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 and infectious aerosols confirm the potential for transmission via air up to several meters.

Assessment of Microbiological Quality of Indoor Air at Different Hospital Sites of Dilla University: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background:In both residential and hospital indoor environments, humans can be exposed to airborne microorganisms. The hospital’s indoor air may contain a large number of disease-causing agents brought in by patients, staff, students, visitors, ventilation, or the outside. Hospitalized patients are at a higher risk of infection due to confined spaces, crowdedness, and poor infection prevention practices, which can accumulate and create favorable conditions for the growth and multiplication of microorganisms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the indoor air bacterial load in Dilla University Hospital, Southern Ethiopia.Methods:An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used to assess the bacterial load in the indoor air at Dilla University Hospital. To determine the bacterial load, a passive air sampling technique was used. The settle plate method was used to collect data, which involved exposing Petri-dishes filled with blood agar media to the indoor air of the sampled rooms for 60 minutes.Result:A total of 72 indoor air samples were collected once a week for 2 weeks at 14-day intervals from 18 rooms in 8 wards, and samples were collected twice a day in the morning and afternoon. The mean bacterial concentrations ranged from 450 to 1585.83 CFU/m3 after 60 minutes of culture media exposure. The mean bacterial concentrations in the obstetrics, surgical, pediatric, gynecology, and medical wards exceeded WHO guidelines. A high indoor air bacterial load was found in 58 (80.6%) of the samples in this study. Gram-positive bacteria in the air were the most common 51 (71%) of the bacterial population measured in all indoor environments. Fungal growth was found in 65 (90.3%) of the samples. Temperatures (26.5°C-28.3°C) and relative humidity (61.1%-67.8%) in the rooms were both above WHO guidelines, creating favorable conditions for bacterial growth and multiplication.Conclusion:The majority of the wards at Dilla University Hospital had bacterial loads in the air that exceeded WHO guidelines. Overcrowding, high temperatures, inadequate ventilation, improper waste management, and a lack of traffic flow control mechanisms could all contribute to a high concentration of bacteria in the indoor air. To control the introduction of microorganisms by patients, students, caregivers, and visitors, it is critical to regularly monitor indoor air bacterial load and implement infection prevention and control measures.

Regional Monitoring of Biomass Burning Using Passive Air Sampling Technique Reveals the Importance of MODIS Unresolved Fires

Regional Monitoring of Biomass Burning Using Passive Air Sampling Technique Reveals the Importance of MODIS Unresolved Fires

Interventional Effect of Nanosilver Paint on Fungal Load of Indoor Air in a Hospital Ward.

Hospital ward environments contain various types of microorganisms, in which fungal agents are one of the main contaminants that may cause hospital-acquired infections. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of nanosilver paint on reducing fungal contaminants of indoor air in an educational, research, and treatment center. Two rooms in the hematology ward were selected. One room was painted using usual paint (control room) and the other room was painted with paint containing nanosilver particles (experimental room). One hundred and twelve samples were collected using active (Anderson BioSampler) and passive (settle plate or open plate) air sampling techniques. The samples were incubated for 3–7 days at 35°C, and the positive fungal cultures were examined according to morphological and microscopic characteristics. Following active sampling, the mean and standard deviation of the number of colony-forming units (CFU/m3) of fungi colonies in the experimental and control rooms were 29.21 ± 17.99 and 22.50 ± 10.02 before intervention and 13.79 ± 6.20 and 31.07 ± 21.1 after intervention, respectively. Following passive sampling, the number of CFU/plate in the experimental and control rooms was 6 and 0 before and 1and 1 after intervention, respectively. The use of the nanosilver paint was effective in reducing air fungal contamination. Moreover, the active sampling method was more sensitive to measuring the concentration changes for fungal bioaerosols.

Field comparison of passive polyurethane foam and active air sampling techniques for analysis of gas-phase semi-volatile organic compounds at a remote high-mountain site

Polyurethane foam passive air samplers (PUF-PAS) are good candidates for the determination of gas-phase semi-volatile organic compound (SVOC) air concentrations in high-mountain areas over long periods because they do not require an energy supply. However, the harsh meteorological conditions present in such locations can increase the uncertainties inherently associated to PAS sampling rates due to the many variables involved in their calculation and to the assumptions made regarding PUF diffusive uptake mechanics, which can considerably bias the resulting concentrations. Therefore, we studied the performance of PUF-PASs in a remote location in the Pyrenees mountain range for the analysis of several SVOCs in air, including polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and the less studied emerging organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs). An in-situ PUF-PAS calibration using Performance Reference Compounds (PRCs) provided compound- and sampler-specific sampling rates, showing mean experimental errors (12%) that adequately conformed to an estimate of their expanded theoretical uncertainties (15%). This showcases the suitability of this calibration strategy in an area with conditions beyond those typically considered in calibration efforts available to date. Moreover, gas-phase concentrations of the studied pollutants from PUF-PAS samples showed very good agreement (R2 up to 0.91, p < 0.01) when compared to those obtained using a conventional high-volume active air sampler (PUF-AAS), with some minor deviations observed for PAHs caused by the seasonality in their atmospheric concentrations. No relevant levels of pollutants preferentially bound to the particle phase were detected in the PUF-PASs, the particle infiltration efficiency of the sampler configuration used was found to be low, and compounds typically distributed between the gas and particle phases of AAS samples revealed profiles consistent with their vapor pressures, except for some OPFRs.

Aerosols Generated during Endodontic Treatment: A Special Concern during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

IntroductionThe aims of this study were to investigate aerosolized microorganisms generated during endodontic emergencies and nonsurgical root canal therapy (NSRCT), to assess the spread of airborne microbes, and to verify the spatial distribution of airborne microbial spread. MethodsA total of 45 endodontic procedures were sampled, including full pulpotomy (n = 15), pulpectomy (n = 15), and NSRCT (n = 15). Samples were collected during room resting and after treatment. The passive air sampling technique using settle plates was applied. Agar plates were set at different locations in the operatory. The colony-forming unit (CFU) was counted in brain-heart infusion blood agar plates. A set of agar plates containing selective chromogenic culture media was used for the isolation and presumptive identification of target microorganisms. Fungi were investigated using Sabouraud dextrose agar. ResultsPulpotomy generated the lowest mean CFU count (P < .05). There was no difference between the mean CFU counts found in pulpectomy and NSRCT (P > .05). A higher mean CFU count was found close to the patient's mouth (0.5 m) than at a 2-m distance in pulpectomy and NSRCT (P < .05). There was no difference between the mean CFU count found in front of the patient's mouth versus diagonal in pulpectomy and NSRCT (P > .05). Staphylococcus aureus (22/45, 48.8%) was the most frequent bacteria species. Longer treatment times were associated with higher CFU counts. ConclusionsOur findings indicated that pulpotomy generates less aerosolized microorganisms than pulpectomy and NSRCT. The proximity to the patient's mouth and the treatment duration were implicated in the level of contamination.

Microbial Diversity in the Sawmill Environment: Implications on the Health of Sawmill Workers and Merchants, Nigeria

There is an increasingly high suspicion of occupational health diseases amongst workers in sawmill factories. Hence this study aimed to determine the microbial diversity in some sawmill factories in Okada, Edo State, Nigeria to evaluate potential implications of the factory’s processing area on the health of the workers and wood merchants. Bacteria and fungi count in the bioaerosols within the processing area of each factory was performed with the passive air sampling technique. While in the sawdust samples, microbial counts were carried out with the pour plate technique. Identification of the microbes was performed with macroscopic and microscopic examinations as well as standard phenotypic tests. Mean total viable count (TVC) and total fungi count (TFC) of bioaerosols in the air within the processing area of the sawmill factories were found to be greater than 4162.99 CFU/m3 while mean total coliform count (TCC) was reported as 756.28 CFU/m3. Fisher (F) one-way ANOVA test of the TVC and TCC dataset of bioaerosols from the four sawmill factories indicated no significant difference (p = 0.77 and 0.83 for TVC and TFC respectively) in the mean TVC and TFC of the bioaerosols. Bacterial (Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Klebsiella and Serratia) and fungal (Saccharomyces, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium) species were isolated from the bioaerosols and sawdust samples. Results of this study indicated that workers in the sawmill factories and other wood merchants who visit sawmill processing area are most likely exposed to airborne contaminants that may cause occupational diseases such as ophthalmic irritations and dermatitis. Hence it is recommended that sawmill workers and other visitors wear personal protective gadgets in the processing area of the sawmill factories.

Quality of indoor air environment and hygienic practices are potential vehicles for bacterial contamination in University cafeteria: case study from Haramaya University, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial quality of indoor air environment and hygienic practices of food handlers in Haramaya University cafeteria, Ethiopia. A total of 36 air samples were collected from the cafeteria using passive air sampling technique. Furthermore, 42 swab samples were taken from the hands and clothes of food handlers for microbial analysis. The results showed that air quality in the cafeteria is below satisfactory. Total coliform counts from all the swab samples were also above the acceptable microbial target value. Significantly higher microbial load was recorded in food handlers involved in serving food than these deployed in baking and sauce making roles. This study generally showed the importance of indoor air quality, and hands and clothes of food handlers as potential sources of bacterial contamination in the University’s cafeteria. Therefore, improved housing condition, regular training, and close supervision are recommended.

English

The hospital, even though a place for the sick people, is inhabited by medical staff, administrative, security and patients who may share common microbes in the hospital environment. Some of these organisms may be pathogenic and may pose health hazard to humans through inhalation in the hospital atmosphere. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate the microbial load of airborne microorganisms in some selected units of the Tamale Teaching Hospital and to suggest possible means to reduce the load. The microbial loads of nine units of the Tamale Teaching Hospital were estimated. Passive air sampling technique, applying open Petri-dishes containing different culture media, was employed to collect sample twice daily for the two seasons witnessed in Ghana. The concentrations of airborne microorganisms in the indoor environment of the wards ranged between 277.61 &ndash; 5395.14 CFU/m3. The statistical analysis showed that the highest bacterial and fungal loads, 5395.14 CFU/m3 and 2021.87 CFU/m3, respectively were recorded in outpatient department (OPD) and the least, 492.37 CFU/m3 and 277.61 CFU/m3, respectively observed in the theatre ward. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis were among the bacterial isolates. The fungal isolates include: Aspergillus spp., Alternaria spp., and Fusarium spp. Generally, all units of the hospital harbored very high concentrations of bioaerosols, except the theatre ward. &nbsp; Key words: Indoor air quality, Hospital air quality,, microbial load, open-plate technique, Ghana.

Home Assessment of Indoor Microbiome (HAIM) in Relation to Lower Respiratory Tract Infections among Under-Five Children in Ibadan, Nigeria: The Study Protocol.

The association between household air pollution and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) among children under five years of age has been well documented; however, the extent to which the microbiome within the indoor environment contributes to this association is uncertain. The home assessment of indoor microbiome (HAIM) study seeks to assess the abundance of indoor microbiota (IM) in the homes of under-five children (U-5Cs) with and without LRTI. HAIM is a hospital- and community-based study involving 200 cases and 200 controls recruited from three children’s hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria. Cases will be hospital-based patients with LRTI confirmed by a pediatrician, while controls will be community-based participants, matched to cases on the basis of sex, geographical location, and age (±3 months) without LRTI. The abundance of IM in houses of cases and controls will be investigated using active and passive air sampling techniques and analyzed by qualitative detection of bacterial 16SrRNA gene (V3–V4), fungal ITS1 region, and viral RNA sequencing. HAIM is expected to elucidate the relationship between exposure to IM and incidence of LRTI among U-5Cs and ultimately provide evidence base for strategic interventions to curtail the burgeoning burden of LRTI on the subcontinent.

Phenotypic Detection and Quality Assessment of Indoor Air-Borne Microorganisms Using Passive Air Sampling Technique (Settle Plate) at A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Puducherry

Phenotypic Detection and Quality Assessment of Indoor Air-Borne Microorganisms Using Passive Air Sampling Technique (Settle Plate) at A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Puducherry

Using Polyurethane Foam-Based Passive Air Sampling Technique to Monitor Monosaccharides at a Regional Scale

Monosaccharides are important tracers of pollution aerosol from biomass burning. Air sampling of monosaccharides is often conducted using active samplers. However, applicability of sampling monosaccharides using polyurethane foam passive air samplers (PUF-PASs) has not been investigated, since passive air samplers are often applied to monitor semivolatile organic contaminants in large scale and remote area. Our study successfully collected atmospheric monosaccharides using PUF-PASs, providing a valuable tool for monosaccharides sampling. PUF-PAS sampling rates for individual monosaccharides were calibrated using an active sampler for 92 days, and were 1.1, 1.5, and 1.1 m3/d for levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan, respectively. Degradation of monosaccharides in PUF-PAS was demonstrated to be negligible by spike test of 13C-labeled levoglucosan. Furthermore, passive sampling was carried out at 11 sites in the Pearl River Delta of Southern China from January to April and July to September of 2015. Monosaccharide concentrations derived from PUF-PASs were comparable with the reported data obtained by active sampling, demonstrating that the PUF-PAS approach is valid for monosaccharides monitoring. On the basis of our approach, we found that there is a clear correlation between the monosaccharide concentrations and the MODIS fire activities during January-April.

Progress on the passive air sampling techniques and occurrence of persistent organic pollutants in remote areas

Persistent organic pollutants can undergo long-range transport and deposit in remote areas (e.g., high mountains, polar areas) through “global distillation effects” or “cold condensation”. This behavior of POPs would pose great risks to the fragile polar ecosystem. Passive air samplers are widely applied to air sampling program at large scales and they are very useful to monitor the pollution levels of legacy POPs in remote areas. They have been widely used to trace the environmental behavior of emerging POPs in the past few decades. The application of PAS has contributed a lot to offer fundamental data to the Stockholm Convention. This study introduced five passive air sampling techniques (SPMD-PAS, PUF-PAS, XAD-2-PAS, SIP-PAS and FTS) and their development history, especially emphasizing on their application and the current pollution of legacy and emerging POPs in remote areas, such as Antarctic, Arctic and Tibetan Plateau. Furthermore, the potential need and future application of PAS were also discussed.

Health risk assessment of PAHs, PCBs and OCPs in atmospheric air of municipal solid waste landfill in Novi Sad, Serbia

The municipal solid waste landfill in Novi Sad, Serbia is in its operative status from early 1980s and represents potential significant source of environmental compartments pollution and the threat to human health as a result of undeveloped waste management practice. Residues of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) as toxic, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic chemicals were investigated in ambient air of landfill site in Novi Sad. Passive air sampling technique was used for the purpose of ambient air sampling. Total risk to the human health is calculated as a sum of individual risks for each group of substances according to the recommended United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) methodology. The overall results indicate that the landfill site in Novi Sad does not pose a relevant treat to human by inhalation of PAHs and POPs. The effect of low concentrations, non-monotonic dose response, synergistic and amplifying effects of chemical complexes must be highly respected while performing future health risk assessment.