Much effort has been made to standardise sampling procedures, laboratory analysis, data analysis, etc. for semi volatile organic contaminants (SVOCs). Yet there are some unresolved issues in regards to comparing measurements from one of the most commonly used passive samplers (PAS), the polyurethane foam (PUF) disk PAS (PUF-PAS), between monitoring networks or different studies. One such issue is that there is no universal means to derive a sampling rate (Rs) or to calculate air concentrations (Cair) from PUF-PAS measurements for SVOCs. Cair was calculated from PUF-PAS measurements from a long-term monitoring program at a site in central Europe applying current understanding of passive sampling theory coupled with a consideration for the sampling of particle associated compounds. Cair were assessed against concurrent active air sampler (AAS) measurements. Use of "site-based/sampler-specific" variables: Rs, calculated using a site calibration, provided similar results for most gas-phase SVOCs to air concentrations derived using "default" values (commonly accepted Rs). Individual monthly PUF-PAS-derived air concentrations for the majority of the target compounds were significantly different (Wilcoxon signed-rank (WSR) test; p < 0.05) to AAS regardless of the input values (site/sampler based or default) used to calculate them. However, annual average PUF-PAS-derived air concentrations were within the same order of magnitude as AAS measurements except for the particle-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Underestimation of PUF-derived air concentrations for particle-phase PAHs was attributed to a potential overestimation of the particle infiltration into the PUF-PAS chamber and underestimation of the particle bound fraction of PAHs.

• Klíčová slova
• Air monitoring, Data comparability, Data interpretation, Passive sampling, Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs),
• MeSH
• kalibrace MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch chemie   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí přístrojové vybavení   metody   MeSH
• nejistota MeSH
• polyurethany chemie   MeSH
• těkavé organické sloučeniny chemie   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• polyurethane foam MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyurethany MeSH
• těkavé organické sloučeniny MeSH

Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are mostly man-made chemicals that distribute between the gas and solid phase in the environment. Many of them could pose harm to people and therefore it is important to know their concentrations in the indoor environment to evaluate the related risks. Inhalation exposure can be assessed using passive sampling. In this study, we employed silicone elastomer as a passive sampler for monitoring gaseous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in indoor air. We performed a sampler calibration study in which samplers consisting of 0.5 mm thick silicone sheets with a total surface area of 300 cm2 were exposed to indoor air in a university lecture theatre for up to 56 days. Uptake kinetics of SVOCs was studied by collecting 2 samplers every week. The results were used to develop a model based on mass transfer theory that can be used to estimate the air sampling rate RS as a function of compound's molecular volume. We examined release kinetics of performance reference compounds that covered a broad range of silicone-air partition coefficient (log KSA 5.95-9.49) and investigated a hypothesis of isotropic exchange kinetics, i.e. equality of rate constants for uptake and release, of SVOCs. PCBs and OCPs concentration in air calculated from contaminant amounts accumulated in passive samplers were in good agreement with those determined by active sampling running simultaneously during the entire study. The use of performance reference compounds is suitable for in situ passive sampler calibration.

• Klíčová slova
• Inhalation exposure, Model, Persistent organic compounds, Sampler calibration,
• MeSH
• kalibrace MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly * analýza   MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * analýza   MeSH
• silikony MeSH
• znečištění vzduchu ve vnitřním prostředí * analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly * MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * MeSH
• silikony MeSH

The capability of passive air sampling to be employed in the evaluation of direct genotoxicity of ambient air samples was assessed. Genotoxic effects of the total extracts from the polyurethane foam filters exposed for 28 days during a regional passive air sampling campaign were investigated. Twenty sampling sites were selected in Brno city on the area of approximately 20x20 km in October and November 2004. Brno is the second largest city of the Czech Republic, highly industrialized with approximately 370,000 of permanent inhabitants. The levels of PAHs, PCBs, and chlorinated pesticides were determined in all samples. Fraction of each extract was also assayed in the bacterial genotoxicity test using Escherichia coli sulA::lacZ. Complete dose-response relationships of the air extracts were determined. The statistical analysis showed significant correlation between observed biological effects and PAHs concentrations in samples.

• MeSH
• Escherichia coli genetika   MeSH
• geneticky modifikované organismy MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí přístrojové vybavení   metody   MeSH
• mutageny analýza   MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH
• poškození DNA MeSH
• studie proveditelnosti MeSH
• testy genotoxicity * MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• mutageny MeSH
• polyurethane foam MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyurethany MeSH

The potential of passive air sampling devices (polyurethane foam disks) to assess the influence of local sources on the quality of the surrounding environment was investigated. DEZA Valasske Mezirici, a coal tar and mixed tar oils processing plant, and Spolana Neratovice, a chemical factory with the history of high production of organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs), were selected as the point sources of PAHs, and OCPs, respectively. Levels of PCBs, OCPs and PAHs were determined for all sampling sites and sampling periods. The study brought useful data about the air concentrations of POPs in the investigated regions. More important, it provided information on the transport and fate of POPs in the vicinity of local sources of contamination useful for the estimation of their influence. Very good capability of passive samplers to reflect temporal and spatial fluctuation in concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in the ambient air was confirmed which makes them applicable for monitoring on the local scale.

• MeSH
• chemický průmysl MeSH
• chlorované uhlovodíky analýza   MeSH
• design vybavení MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí přístrojové vybavení   metody   MeSH
• nebezpečné látky analýza   MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly analýza   MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky analýza   MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• rezidua pesticidů analýza   MeSH
• roční období * MeSH
• zeměpis MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• hodnotící studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chlorované uhlovodíky MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• nebezpečné látky MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky MeSH
• polyurethane foam MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyurethany MeSH
• rezidua pesticidů MeSH

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are recognized as pollutants of global concern, but so far, information on the trends of legacy POPs in the waters of the world has been missing due to logistical, analytical, and financial reasons. Passive samplers have emerged as an attractive alternative to active water sampling methods as they accumulate POPs, represent time-weighted average concentrations, and can easily be shipped and deployed. As part of the AQUA-GAPS/MONET, passive samplers were deployed at 40 globally distributed sites between 2016 and 2020, for a total of 21 freshwater and 40 marine deployments. Results from silicone passive samplers showed α-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and γ-HCH displaying the greatest concentrations in the northern latitudes/Arctic Ocean, in stark contrast to the more persistent penta (PeCB)- and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), which approached equilibrium across sampling sites. Geospatial patterns of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) aqueous concentrations closely matched original estimates of production and use, implying limited global transport. Positive correlations between log-transformed concentrations of Σ7PCB, ΣDDTs, Σendosulfan, and Σchlordane, but not ΣHCH, and the log of population density (p < 0.05) within 5 and 10 km of the sampling sites also supported limited transport from used sites. These results help to understand the extent of global distribution, and eventually time-trends, of organic pollutants in aquatic systems, such as across freshwaters and oceans. Future deployments will aim to establish time-trends at selected sites while adding to the geographical coverage.

• Klíčová slova
• cyclodiene pesticides, global fractionation, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexanes, long-range transport, organochlorine pesticides, passive sampler, polychlorinated biphenyls, silicone rubber,
• MeSH
• chlorované uhlovodíky * analýza   MeSH
• hexachlorbenzen analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí * MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• pesticidy * analýza   MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly * analýza   MeSH
• sladká voda MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chlorované uhlovodíky * MeSH
• hexachlorbenzen MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí * MeSH
• pesticidy * MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly * MeSH

Polyurethane foam passive air samplers (PUF-PAS) are the most common type of passive air sampler used for a range of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), including regulated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and emerging contaminants (e.g., novel flame retardants, phthalates, current-use pesticides). Data from PUF-PAS are key indicators of effectiveness of global regulatory actions on SVOCs, such as the Global Monitoring Plan of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. While most PUF-PAS use similar double-dome metal shielding, there is no standardized dome size, shape, or deployment configuration, with many different PUF-PAS designs used in regional and global monitoring. Yet, no information is available on the comparability of data from studies using different PUF-PAS designs. We brought together 12 types of PUF-PAS used by different research groups around the world and deployed them in a multi-part intercomparison to evaluate the variability in reported concentrations introduced by different elements of PAS monitoring. PUF-PAS were deployed for 3 months in outdoor air in Kjeller, Norway in 2015-2016 in three phases to capture (1) the influence of sampler design on data comparability, (2) the influence of analytical variability when samplers are analyzed at different laboratories, and (3) the overall variability in global monitoring data introduced by differences in sampler configurations and analytical methods. Results indicate that while differences in sampler design (in particular, the spacing between the upper and lower sampler bowls) account for up to 50 % differences in masses collected by samplers, the variability introduced by analysis in different laboratories far exceeds this amount, resulting in differences spanning orders of magnitude for POPs and PAHs. The high level of variability due to analysis in different laboratories indicates that current SVOC air sampling data (i.e., not just for PUF-PAS but likely also for active air sampling) are not directly comparable between laboratories/monitoring programs. To support on-going efforts to mobilize more SVOC data to contribute to effectiveness evaluation, intercalibration exercises to account for uncertainties in air sampling, repeated at regular intervals, must be established to ensure analytical comparability and avoid biases in global-scale assessments of SVOCs in air caused by differences in laboratory performance.

• Klíčová slova
• Global air monitoring, PUF disk, Passive air sampling, Persistent organic pollutants, Semi-volatile organic compounds, Stockholm Convention,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Organic compounds like flame retardants (FRs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are consistently found in both indoor and outdoor environments. There are many possible matrices for measurement of these compounds (e.g. indoor dust, air - passive and active air samples), but all methods have limitations, like the heterogeneous distribution of indoor dust, or noisy active air samplers. We used filters from building-wide heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units to evaluate levels of PAHs, PCBs, OCPs and NFRs in indoor and outdoor environments, and to evaluate whether this method is feasible for screening semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in indoor and near-building outdoor environments. Detectable levels of FRs, PCBs, OCPs and PAHs were found, demonstrating that HVAC filters do collect SVOCs, with generally higher levels of PAHs in the incoming air filters and higher levels of PCBs, OCPs and FRs in the outgoing air filters. Levels of FRs, PCBs and OCPs in outgoing air were comparable to those measured using conventional active air sampling in the same building. The advantages of using HVAC filters are (1) integrated and homogeneous samples, as the whole building is sampled over typically a long timescale (months), and (2) samples are easy and cheap to collect and do not require prior deployment of samplers. The key disadvantage is that HVAC filters are not designed for analytical chemistry and thus the filter materials can have variable or unknown gas sorption and particle capture, and can have strong matrix effects during analysis.

• MeSH
• klimatizace MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly * analýza   MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * analýza   MeSH
• retardanty hoření * analýza   MeSH
• těkavé organické sloučeniny * analýza   MeSH
• vzduchové filtry * MeSH
• znečištění vzduchu ve vnitřním prostředí * analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly * MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * MeSH
• retardanty hoření * MeSH
• těkavé organické sloučeniny * MeSH

Polyurethane foam (PUF) disk passive air samplers were evaluated under field conditionsto assessthe effect of temperature and wind speed on the sampling rate for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Passive samples integrated over 28-day periods were compared to high-volume air samples collected for 24 h, every 7 days. This provided a large data set of 42 passive sampling events and 168 high-volume samples over a 3-year period, starting in October 2003. Average PUF disk sampling rates for gas-phase chemicals was approximately 7 m3 d(-1) and comparable to previous reports. The high molecular weight PAHs, which are mainly particle-bound, experienced much lower sampling rates of approximately 0.7 m3 d(-1). This small rate was attributed to the ability of the sampling chamber to filter out coarse particles with only the fine/ultrafine fraction capable of penetration and collection on the PUF disk. Passive sampler-derived data were converted to equivalent air volumes (V(EQ), m3) using the high-volume air measurement results. Correlations of V(EQ) against meteorological data collected on-site yielded different behavior for gas- and particle-associated compounds. For gas-phase chemicals, sampling rates varied by about a factor of 2 with temperature and wind speed. The higher sampling rates at colder temperatures were explained bythe wind effecton sampling rates. Temperature and wind were strongly correlated with the greatest winds at coldertemperatures. Mainly particle-phase compounds (namely, the high molecular weight PAHs) had more variable sampling rates. Sampling rates increased greatly atwarmertemperatures as the high molecular weight PAH burden was shifted toward the gas phase and subject to higher gas-phase sampling rates. At colder temperatures, sampling rates were reduced as the partitioning of the high molecular weight PAHs was shifted toward the particle phase. The observed wind effect on sampling for the particle-phase compounds is believed to be tied to this strong temperature dependence on phase partitioning and hence sampling rate. For purposes of comparing passive sampler derived data for persistent organic pollutants, the factor of 2 variability observed for mainly gas-phase compounds is deemed to be acceptable in many instances for semiquantitative analysis. Depuration compounds may be used to improve accuracy and provide site-specific sampling rates, although this adds a level of complexity to the analysis. More research is needed to develop and test passive air samplers for particle-associated chemicals.

• MeSH
• chlorované uhlovodíky analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí přístrojové vybavení   metody   MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky analýza   MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH
• teplota MeSH
• vítr MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chlorované uhlovodíky MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky MeSH
• polyurethane foam MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyurethany MeSH

Polyurethane foam disks (PUF) passive air samplers (PAS) were deployed over 4 sampling periods of 3-5-months (≥ 1 year) at ten urban and rural locations throughout the Tuscany Region. The purpose was to assess the occurrence and seasonal variations of ten current-use pesticides (CUPs). PUF disk extracts were analyzed using GC-MS. The organophosphates insecticides; chlorpyrifos (3-580 pg m(-3)) and chlorpyrifos-methyl (below detection limit - to 570 pg m(-3)) presented the highest levels in air, and showed seasonal fluctuation coinciding with the growing seasons. The relative proportion urban/(urban + rural) ranged from 0.4 to 0.7 showing no differences between urban and rural concentrations. Air back trajectories analysis showed air masses passing over agricultural fields and potentially enhancing the drift of pesticides into the urban sites. This study represents the first information regarding CUPs in the atmosphere of Tuscany region using PAS-PUF disk.

• Klíčová slova
• Air back trajectories, Organoposphates insecticides (OPI), Passive air sampling, Urban and rural sites,
• MeSH
• atmosféra chemie   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   chemie   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• pesticidy analýza   chemie   MeSH
• plynová chromatografie s hmotnostně spektrometrickou detekcí MeSH
• polyurethany chemie   MeSH
• roční období * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Itálie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• pesticidy MeSH
• polyurethane foam MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyurethany MeSH

In this study, PUF disk passive air samplers were deployed at eight sites, during two sampling periods, on the Island of Sicily in the Mediterranean basin. Samples were screened for a number of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (n = 28 congeners), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) (n = 16 compounds), and polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs n = 28) using GC-MS. PCB concentrations in air ranged ~10-300 pg m-3. The PCB pattern was dominated by lower to middle molecular weight PCBs (Cl3-5) and PCB-28 and PCB-52 were the most abundant congeners. α- and γ-Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) concentrations in air were relatively high ~420 ± 320 (50-1000) and 460 ± 340 (30-1000) pg m-3, respectively, with an average α/γ ratio of 1 ± 0.5, indicating a tendency of higher use of lindane than of technical HCH. Among DDTs, only p,p'-DDT 90 ± 15 (~10-800) and p,p'-DDE 60 ± 60 (20-400) were frequently detected. DDT/DDE = 0.4-3.0 (1.0 ± 0.7 for both periods) suggesting past and fresh inputs of DDT at the sampling sites. α-Endosulfan, recently included in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention, fluctuated between 120 ± 50 (50-1000) pg m-3. In contrast, PBDE levels were very low (0.2-2 pg m-3). Back trajectories of advection suggest that POP levels are mainly related to local sources (primary or secondary) from Sicily (50-70 % contribution of air masses), Southern Italy, and Sardinia (20 %). This study provides new information for POP levels in the atmosphere of the Mediterranean region.

• Klíčová slova
• Air back trajectories, Mediterranean, POPs, PUF disks, Passive samplers, The Island of Sicily,
• MeSH
• atmosféra analýza   MeSH
• chlorované uhlovodíky analýza   MeSH
• halogenované difenylethery analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí přístrojové vybavení   metody   MeSH
• ostrovy MeSH
• pesticidy analýza   MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• ostrovy MeSH
• Sicilie MeSH
• Středomoří MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chlorované uhlovodíky MeSH
• halogenované difenylethery MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• pesticidy MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly MeSH