Spatial and seasonal trends of polychlorinated dioxins, furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in air using passive and active samplers and inhalation risk assessment

Author(s)

Francisco, Ana Paula ^[1] ; Nardocci, Adelaide Cassia ^[1] ; Tominaga, Maria Yumiko ^[2] ; da Silva, Camila Rodrigues ^[2] ; de Assuncao, Joao Vicente ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Publ Hlth, Ave Dr Arnaldo 715, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Environm Co, Ave Prof Frederico Hermann Jr 345, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH; v. 8, n. 5, p. 979-987, SEP 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

Thirty-five and eleven air samples were collected using, respectively, active samplers (filter + PUF) and passive samplers (PUF disks), over two consecutive four-month periods (spring and autumn-winter), in urban, urban/industrial, and rural (background) sites in Sao Paulo, Brazil. All the samples were extracted with toluene: acetone (9: 1) in a Soxhlet apparatus, and the extracts were then purified. Analysis for polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and for dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) were made by High Resolution Gas Chromatography/High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS). Human exposure risk was evaluated using inhalation risk assessment. Results showed: (1) there are statistical differences for PCDD/F concentrations in air between periods 1 and 2 (p = 0.03), whereas dl-PCB levels were not statistically different (p = 0.52); (2) PCDD/F and dl-PCB air levels were in the following order: urban/industrial > urban > rural for both active and passive samples; (3) PCDD/F and dl-PCB concentrations ranged from 7.76 to 453 fg TEQ/m(3) in active air samples, and from 6.11 to 469 fg TEQ/m(3) in passive air samples; (4) sampling rates for PCDD/Fs by the two approaches used showed considerable differences; (5) average daily intake by inhalation ranged from 18.1 to 55.6 fg TEQ/kg day, respectively, for adults and children, representing 1.8-5.6% of the lower range of the Tolerable Daily Intake recommended by the World Health Organization. Based on these results, the inhalation risk for PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs, for local Sao Paulo residents, should be considered low. (C) 2017 Turkish National Committee for Air Pollution Research and Control. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/00745-9 - Comparison of active and passive sampling techniques for the determination of the equivalent toxicity of the atmosphere in relation to dioxins, furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls
• Grantee: João Vicente de Assunção
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/20299-0 - Equivalent toxicity of the atmosphere for dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls, using two air sampling techniques, passive and active
• Grantee: Ana Paula Francisco
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate