Landfills as sources of polyfluorinated compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and musk fragrances to ambient air

Abstract

In order to investigate landfills as sources of polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and synthetic musk fragrances to the atmosphere, air samples were simultaneously taken at two landfills (one active and one closed) and two reference sites using high volume air samplers. Contaminants were accumulated on glass fiber filters (particle phase) and PUF/XAD-2/PUF cartridges (gas phase), extracted by methyl-tert butyl ether/acetone (neutral PFCs), methanol (ionic PFCs) or hexane/acetone (PBDEs, musk *Manuscript Click here to download Manuscript: 101030_manuscript_landfill_oFC.doc Click here to view linked References fragrances), and detected by GC-MS (neutral PFCs, PBDEs, musk fragrances) or HPLC-MS/MS (ionic PFCs). Total concentrations ranged from 84 to 706 pg m-3 (volatile PFCs, gas phase), from <MQL to 42 pg m-3 (ionic PFCs, particle phase), from 204 to 1963 pg m-3 (synthetic musk fragrances, gas+ particle phase) and from 1 to 11 pg m-3 (PBDEs, gas+ particle phase). Observed sum concentrations of PFCs and synthetic musk fragrances and partly PBDE concentrations were elevated at landfill sites compared to corresponding reference sites. Concentrations determined at the active landfill were higher than those of the inactive landfill. Overall, landfills can be regarded as a source of synthetic musk fragrances, several PFCs and potentially of PBDEs to ambient air.

Neutral poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in air and seawater of the North Sea

“…Therefore, the neutral PFASs found in these air samples should mainly originate from local emission sources. For instance, the concentrations of neutral PFASs were 40-244 pg m −3 in land-based sites around Hamburg (Dreyer et al 2009a) and 84-706 pg m −3 over landfill fields in Germany (Weinberg et al 2010), which are approximately two to five times higher than those determined in the North Sea. It is interesting to note that neutral PFASs showed different atmospheric transport potential from land to the marine environment.…”

Temporal variations of perfluoroalkyl substances and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in alpine snow

“…Analytes were separated on a HP-5MS column (Agilent Technologies, 30 m length, 250 mm diameter, 25 mm film thickness). Specifications and programmed temperatures were adapted from Weinberg et al (2011a). Due to the low expected concentrations (<1 ng L À1 ), PBDEs were detected on the mass to charge ratio 79/81, which is more sensitive compared to the more specific molecular masses.…”

“…Due to the low expected concentrations (<1 ng L À1 ), PBDEs were detected on the mass to charge ratio 79/81, which is more sensitive compared to the more specific molecular masses. When concentrations were sufficiently high, molecular-specific mass to charge ratios were used (Weinberg et al, 2011a). Quantification was based on peak areas.…”

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — main concerns and regulatory developments in Europe from an environmental point of view

“…Households are one possible source for PFOA and its precursors in municipal WWTPs. Additionally, landfills emit PFOA with their leachates [30] or release these substances into the atmosphere [29,31].…”