Contamination of Environmental Samples Prepared for PCB Analysis (original) (raw)
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PCBs in Samples from the Environment of the Southern Moravia Region, Czech Republic
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2008
The determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water, sediment and fish samples from the Czech Republic was carried out using high resolution gas chromatography with electron capture detection. PCBs concentrations in water and sediment samples were rather low and corresponded with the findings from some prior studies. On the other hand, investigated samples of fish tissue were highly contaminated (on average 1.3-266 ng/g fat for individual PCBs), thus, a continuing contamination of fish species with PCBs was proved.
Toxics, 2017
Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated sites around the world affect human health for many years, showing long latency periods of health effects. The impact of the different PCB congeners on human health should not be underestimated, as they are ubiquitous, stable molecules and reactive in biological tissues, leading to neurological, endocrine, genetic, and systemic adverse effects in the human body. Moreover, bioaccumulation of these compounds in fatty tissues of animals (e.g., fish and mammals) and in soils/sediments, results in chronic exposure to these substances. Efficient destruction methods are important to decontaminate polluted sites worldwide. This paper provides an in-depth overview of (i) the history and accidents with PCBs in the 20th century, (ii) the mechanisms that are responsible for the hazardous effects of PCBs, and (iii) the current policy regarding PCB control and decontamination. Contemporary impacts on human health of historical incidents are discussed ne...
Chemical Engineering Journal, 2019
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of synthetic organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen and chlorine atoms. They have been used in various industrial and commercial applications owing to their high boiling points, non-flammability, chemical stability and insulating properties. Also, PCBs are exceptionally stable and prevail in the environment for a very long time. Consequently, they may not just affect the individual organisms, but ultimately the entire ecosystems. The present review describes the sources, fate and transport of PCBs in the environment followed by their accumulation in humans, animals, plants and biota. We provide the description of current knowledge on sampling, pretreatment and cleanup procedures for the best extraction of PCBs from various contaminated sites. Further, the futuristic analytical strategies established for the determination of PCBs and adequate remedial methods are discussed in detail. Also, the analytical challenges and recommendations for future research regarding the PCBs assessment in the environment are summarized. Overall, this review presents comprehensive knowledge on cutting edge technologies available in the field of PCBs analysis.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were widely used in industrial and commercial applications, until they were banned in the late 1970s as a result of their significant environmental pollution. PCBs in the environment gained scientific interest because of their persistence and the potential threats they pose to humans. Traditionally, human exposure to PCBs was linked to dietary ingestion. Inhalational exposure to these contaminants is often overlooked. This review discusses the occurrence and distribution of PCBs in environmental matrices and their associated health impacts. Severe PCB contamination levels have been reported in e-waste recycling areas. The occurrence of high PCB levels, notably in urban and industrial areas, might result from extensive PCB use and intensive human activity. Furthermore, PCB contamination in the indoor environment is ten-fold higher than outdoors, which may present expose risk for humans through the inhalation of contaminated air or through the ingestio...
Atmospheric chemistry of PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs
2007
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) (see Figure 1) are emitted into the atmosphere from the combustion of chlorine-containing materials.-Additionally, PCBs, which were used as lubricants and dielectric fluids, are volatilized into the atmosphere from soils and bodies of water (for example, from the Great Lakes) after their disposal or inadvertent release into, and cycling through, the environment.-Atmospheric concentrations of PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs have been measured at numerous locations,and these organochlorine
Over the recent few decades, contamination with persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), has spread all over the world, as evidenced by their detection in a wide range of the environmental media and biota. PCBs are found in the group of the most persistent chemicals. Their physico-chemical properties, such as thermal stability, low flammability and high permittivity, predispose them to have been widely used over the recent 50 years in many industrial applications. These properties have also led to their persistence and accumulation in the environment and biomagnification throughout the food chain. They are found in many compartments of the environment, especially in organisms that are at the top of the chain and may accumulate their significant amounts. Establishing the source of pollutants, their emissions and residues are first steps toward reducing their levels in the environment. Another step is to consider the ability to degrade PCBs by biological or physico-chemical transformation. The first group of degradation includes the anaerobic, aerobic and sequential anaerobic-aerobic transformations. The photochemical and thermal degradation can be classified into the second group. Application of these methods can minimize the risk of the PCB effect.
Environmental Science & Technology, 2007
Hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs) are well-known metabolites of PCBs in organisms, but there has been no direct study of their presence in the abiotic environment. In this study, OH-PCBs were determined in samples of rain, snow, and surface waters from sites in Ontario, Canada. OH-PCBs were quantified by gas chromatography with highresolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) in order to provide complete characterization of all OH-PCB homolog groups. OH-PCBs and PCBs were detected in all the samples analyzed, although half of the ∑OH-PCBs could not be identified even with 71 individual congener standards. Total concentrations of OH-PCBs (∑OH-PCBs) in water ranged from 0.87 to 130 pg/L and from 230 to 990 pg/g in particulate organic matter. Total fluxes of those compounds in snow and rain were from <1 to 100 pg/m 2 and from <1 to 44 pg/ m 2 /day, respectively. Higher ∑OH-PCB fluxes in rain were found in southern Ontario than in a remote northcentral Ontario site possibly reflecting greater sources of precursor PCBs near urban areas. Relatively higher ∑OH-PCB concentrations were found in surface waters from sites near sewage treatment plant (STP) outfalls in the cities of Toronto (130 pg/L) and Hamilton (35 pg/L) than in offshore samples from Lake Ontario (1.6 pg/L). The results indicate that STPs are one of the sources of OH-PCBs for lake waters in this region. Similar homolog and congener profiles in rain and offshore surface water samples suggest that atmospheric deposition is the predominant source at offshore sites. This is the first report to detect the OH-PCBs in the abiotic environment.