Project TOCOEN - The fate of selected organic compounds in the environment .28. Levels of PAHs and some halogenated POPs in ambient air in Czech Republic

Concentrations of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo-p-furans (PCDDs/Fs) in ambient air in Kosetice, a background locality in the South Bohemia, have been estimated in the period from July to December 1994. The 24-hours samples have been taken by the means of a high-volume sampler. Sample analysis involved Soxhlet extraction of polyurethane foam, extract preconcentration and chromatographic clean-up procedure followed by HPLC determination of PAHs with fluorescence detection, GC/ECD determination of chlorinated pollutants, and GC/MS determination of PCDDs/Fs. The results of this first detailed study undertaken in Czech Republic are compared with the data obtained by similar projects in industrial and/or urban areas in the Czech Republic and in rural or urban areas in other European countries.