The first countrywide monitoring of selected POPs: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and selected organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the atmosphere of Turkey

Abstract

Atmospheric levels of 43 PCBs, 22 OCPs, and 14 PBDEs were determined in 16 cities at urban and rural sites by passive sampling to generate the first large-scale nationwide dataset of POP residues in Turkey's atmosphere. Sampling campaign was performed from May to April 2015 with three-month sampling periods at locations on east-west and north-south transects through the country to investigate seasonal and spatial variations, including long range atmospheric transport (LRAT). Factor analysis was conducted to infer on the potential sources. Overall average Σ 43 PCBs concentration was 108±132 pg/m 3. PCB-118 (26.3±44.6 pg/m 3) was the top congener, and penta-CBs had the highest contribution with 54.3%. ΣDDTs had the highest annual mean concentration with 134±296 pg/m 3 among the OCP groups among which the highest concentration compound was p'p-DDE (97.6±236 pg/m 3). Overall average concentration of Σ 14 PBDEs was 191±329 pg/m 3 with the highest contribution from BDE-190 (42%). Comparison of OCPs and PCBs concentrations detected at temperatures which were above and below annual average temperature indicated higher concentrations in the warmer periods, hence significance of secondary emissions for several OCPs and Σ 43 PCBs, as well as inference as LRAT from secondary emissions. The first nationwide POPs database constructed in this study, point to current use, local secondary emissions, and LRAT for different individual compounds, and indicate the need for regular monitoring.

Air Monitoring of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Organochlorine Pesticides in Eastern Siberia: Levels, Temporal Trends, and Risk Assessment

“…At the same time, PCB levels were higher than those in the air at most observation sites in the Russian Arctic (5-55 pg/m 3 ), with the exception of Valkarkai station in the early 2000s (~70 pg/m 3 [79]). The OCP levels observed in our study were comparable or lower than relevant values found in Asian countries (e.g., α-HCH in India: 60-381 pg/m 3 [69,71]; Nepal: 1.3-73 pg/m 3 [72]; Turkey: 64 pg/m 3 [75]; DDT in China: 2.3-215 pg/m 3 [65,66]; Turkey: 134 pg/m 3 [75]; see Table 2), higher than or comparable to the highest values found in air in the Russian Arctic (DDT: 0.14-1.6 pg/m 3 [35,36]; γ-HCH: 0.18-12 pg/m 3 [35,36]; Table S5), and comparable to or higher than those at other air monitoring stations in Russia, including Moscow Region in 2004-2010, 20 stations in the towns of the Asian part of Russia in 2008-2009, two towns in the Russian Far East in 2010-2012, and 13 settlements in Irkutsk Region in certain years (Table S5). The DDT levels in Irkutsk stations were 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than those in areas where DDT is used at present or in the past (India: DDT = 1079 pg/m 3 [71]; northern area of Irkutsk Region: ∑DDTs = 125-3975 pg/m 3 [80]).…”

The effect of military conflict zone in the Middle East on atmospheric persistent organic pollutant contamination in its north

“…Just prior to extraction, PUF disks were spiked with recovery surrogate chemicals (50 ng PCB-14, PCB-65, PCB-166, and 25 ng PBDE-77, −181). Then they were extracted with acetone:hexane mixture (1:1 and 300 mL) on a Soxhlet extractor for 18 h. Further details on sample preparation and clean-up of extracts are given elsewhere (Kurt-Karakus et al, 2018). Later final volume was reduced to 1 mL isooctane, and all extracts were spiked with internal standard (12 ng of 13 C 12 PCB-105) before instrumental analysis.…”

“…PBDEs were also never produced in Turkey while total production around the world reached 1.3 to 1.5 million tons between 1970(UNEP, 2010. Penta and octa-BDE commercial mixtures were banned in 2009 followed by deca-BDE mixture in 2017 by SC, including Turkey (Kurt-Karakus et al, 2018). OCPs are the most produced legacy POPs, with a global total estimate for only DDT of 4.5 million tons from 1940s to 2005 (Li and Macdonald, 2005).…”

Endocrine disruptor chemicals as obesogen and diabetogen: Clinical and mechanistic evidence

“…On the other hand, it is a source of constant internal exposure[ 13 ]. Although the use of many POPs, especially PCBs, HCB and DDT, is prohibited in most countries, exposure still exists due to their persistence in the environment[ 14 - 16 ].…”