Residues of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in some Brazilian municipal solid waste compost

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), listed as per the Stockholm Convention (alpha -HCH, beta -HCH, gamma -HCH, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, PCBs 28, 52, 118, 138, 153, and 180), were analyzed in municipal solid waste (MSW) compost samples from three different Brazilian composting plants located in three São Paulo State cities: Araras, Araraquara and São Paulo (Vila Leopoldinha). Quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out using gas chromatography electron capture detection (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (Ion Trap, electron impact ionization), respectively. The samples were analyzed in triplicate and the target POPs were not detected by GC-ECD. Twelve pollutants were identified in two samples when qualitative analysis (GC-MS) was used (beta -HCH, gamma -HCH, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDE, PCBs 28, 118, 138, 153 and 180). The composting process has advantages such as urban solid waste reduction and landfill life-span increase, however the MSW compost quality, which can be utilized for agricultural purposes, should be evaluated and be controlled. This kind of study is the first step in making available information to answer questions regarding MSW compost for sustainable agricultural use, such as the pollutants accumulation in soil and in groundwater, and plants uptake.

Levels of selected persistent organic pollutants in blood from delivering women in seven selected areas of São Paulo State, Brazil

“…It is thought that sources of exposure to these pollutants may be both from recent and past activities. It is common practice in Brazil to use municipal solid waste as compost to enrich the soil for agricultural use; it is very possible that this practice has led to overall increase in levels of pollutants in soil, groundwater and in plants, consequently contributing to human exposure (Lourencetti et al, 2007). This study also confirmed that the body burden of selected POPs increases with age and decreases with parity in accordance with other studies (Grimvall et al, 1997;O'Grady Milbrath et al, 2009;Skaare and Polder, 1990).…”

Níveis de substância tóxicos persistentes(PTS) em sangue de parturientes de sete áreas selecionadas do Estado de São Paulo - Brasil

“…In Brazil, it is common practice to use municipal solid waste as compost to enrich the soil for agricultural use; it is very possible that this custom has led to increased levels of pollutants in soil, groundwater and in plants, with a concomitant exposure to humans. 38 Even though our study found generally low levels of POPs in delivering women, it is well known that chronic exposure to low levels of POPs, over an extended period of time, can lead to cumulative adverse health effects in exposed populations. 39 To the best of our knowledge, this pilot study is the first Brazilian investigation that concurrently measured a wide spectrum of POPs in whole blood of delivering women, in selected areas of São Paulo State, Brazil.…”

Agricultural Wastes

“…Switzerland (Brandli et al, 2007). The contents of persistent organic pollutants, organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyl in municipal solid waste compost samples from three different Brazilian composting plants were studied by Lourencetti et al (2007). The results suggested that municipal solid waste compost used for agricultural purposes should be evaluated and controlled.…”