More than 1,000 air samples were collected using polyurethane foam based passive samplers (PAS-PUF) and high volume active samplers (Hi-Vol) at Chicago of Illinois, East Chicago of Indiana and Columbus Junction of Iowa in 2007-2011. PCB congener specific concentrations were determined using GC/MS/MS. PAS-PUF and Hi-Vol samplers are demonstrated to capture similar annual PCB concentrations and congener profiles. The average concentrations measured by PAS-PUF are, in general, slightly higher than by Hi-Vol with a factor of less than 2 (Figure 1). Indoor PCB levels are generally 2 to 5 times higher than outdoors. By comparison between profiles measured by Hi-Vol and PAS-PUF, the COS q values ranged from 0.75 to 0.92, indicating there is a great similarity. Both methods showed seasonal trends in concentrations of atmospheric PCBs (Figure 2). Our dataset demonstrates that PAS-PUF is an appropriate alternative of Hi-Vol for measuring concentrations of PCBs and congener profiles over a large temporal period. 

Dynamics of airborne PCBs illuminated using a strategic deployment of active and passive samplers

246th National Meeting (2013)

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