Atmospheric concentrations of PCDDs/PCDFs in Southern California

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10473289.1992.10467019· OSTI ID:7161367

Hunt, G T; Maisel, B E ^[1]

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1. ENSR Consulting and Engineering, Acton, MA (United States)

A comprehensive air toxics measurements program designed to establish baseline concentrations of atmospheric polychlorinated dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) in the South Coast Air Basin has been completed. The program utilized state-of-the-art sampling and laboratory analysis techniques (HRGC/HRMS) to quantify the fifteen 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDDs/PCDFs congeners of primary toxicological significance. This study, which included nine discrete sampling sessions between December 1987 and March 1989, provides the first systematic assessment of ambient PCDDs/PCDFs concentrations in the state of California. The highest PCDDs/PCDFs concentrations noted during this study occurred in December 1987. This period was dominated by off-shore air flows, suggesting a regional air mass and transport phenomena. Concentrations of the PCDDs/PCDFs were diminished markedly in subsequent sampling sessions where air flow patterns were primarily of on-shore or of coastal origin. Typical of combustion source profiles, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD was the predominant 2,3,7,8-substituted species and most prevalent PCDD after OCDD. The congener of highest toxicological significance, 2,3,7,8-TCDD, was reported below the 10-20 fg/m{sup 3} detection limit for most of the ambient air samples selected for analysis.

• OSTI ID: 7161367
• Journal Information: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States) Vol. 42:5; ISSN JAWAE; ISSN 1047-3289
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
BASELINE ECOLOGY
BENZOFURANS
CALIFORNIA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DIOXIN
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ECOLOGY
FURANS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
USA